The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-11-20
Message Of the Gorarnar Of Alabama.
GFNrLEMDN or THE SENATE
~, un1-sE or Observation-Disclosures:

bly, at te seat OF government. Under TINS antnollty
my proclamation, calling extraordinary session OF
/ the legislature was issued.
1t is proper that YOU should be advised as to the
reason which induced this action the part OF the ex-
ecutye
The 2Sth section Of article Sd Of the amended consti
tuition provides tie general assembly shall meet an
nuay such day as may be provided by law, and may
continue in session lot more than thirty days 1t was
apparent that the legislation made necessary by the
condition of the State and Of the Cnlederacy, could
not be perfected within thirty days, and that called
session would be necessary either in advance OF or at
the close OF the regular session. 1t was deemed expe
dent that the legislature should be convened at this
! tme for reasons which would hereafter appear
Congress, at its last session. passed an act entitled
An authorize the issuance of treasury notes. and
i to provide war-tax for their redemption.
The fourth section OF this act declares, that "a war
tax shall be assessed andlevled of fifty upon each
hundred dollars inyalue Of the various subjects OF tax
alton therein enumerated
The fifth section requires that chief collector shall
be appointed for each State whose duty 1t shall be to
divide the State into convenient districts and appoint
collectors therefor These collectors are required to
make the assessment by the first of November next.
The tWentyfourth section is in the following words
SEC q. If any State shall on or before the first
day of April next pay in the treasury notes OF the Con
federatc States in specie the assessed against
the citizens Of such State less ten per centum thereon
it shall be the duty of the secretary of the treasury to
notify the the several taxcollectors i'll such
State ard thereupon their authority and duty under this
act shall cease
Should the State determine pay the amount OF taxes
that may be assessed provdedn the act OF congress
by the first day Of April next the ways and means OF
doing should be determined on at carly day as
practicable.
This proposition, made to the States by the Conled-
crate government, presents for your consideration
very great question: and one which by means free
from difficulties The deduction Of ten per centum from
the gross amount taxes assessed is strong induce
ment fer the State to avail herself of the benefit of the
act. In addition to this, our people would be relieved
from the calls of the Confederate taXtoecor which
no ordinary consideration.
This proposition the part of the Confederate States
is not an invasion Of the rights of the States,
have supposed but is rather concession to the States,
as it permits them do that which they have no right
to do without the consent Of the Confederate govern
ment The argument the other side of this question,
both as to principle and policy presents very serious
difficulties. The rights and powers Of the States and
OF the Confederate government plainly and distinctly
marked out and it is always safest and best for each
government, to exercise those powers, and perform
those duties which egtimatey belong to it. even though
there be no constitutional difficulty in the way. The
States should never concede the general government
the exercise Of powers uodelegated in the constitution;
and they should eEccpiu cases of absolute neccs
sity consent exercise powers, perform duties,
which do not properly belong to them. As a general
rule it is dangerous in its tendencies and precedens
of this character are 10 be avoided.
The collection Of this tax by the State, would be an
onerous and unpleasant duty, as it imposes upon the
State the necessity of enforcing the laws of the Conled
crate government against her citizens, provided it
should become necessary 10 do 50.
Again. if the State determines to pay the tax to be
levied by this act by the collection of the money from
the tax payers it viii be onerous and oppressive the
State and Confederate must beth be coIectedatt the
same time and will amount according to the best esti-
mate | can make, to about millions three hundred
thousand dollars in the aggegate-about three times
the amount of the present State tax.
After the thorough of question,
conclude that the State ought to pay this tax, if
to do be necessary collect the amount from the
people by the first Of April But if the general
assembly in It's wisdom devise plan by which it
be paid without collecting it from the people, in the
present condition Of the country, recommend that it
be done. There is financial measure that would ex
I tend greater relief to our people.
1t may be that this important object can be effected
by suSPendng, for the present. the appropriations for
educational purposes ard all others not indispensable
for maintaining the State governments by the aid Of the
banks the sale OF State bonds, and the issue, to some
/ extent, OF treasury notes.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS have been made to me from
many portions OF the State that there persons en-
gagged III purchasing articles Indispensable to support
of the army and OF poor people, for the purpose
and with the intent of eNtorting exravagant Prices
from those who might be compelled purchase these
articles Upon this information is5Hsd proclamation
0''TIfiII as anu "4eLo, anu
instructed the Quarter-nasels and other agents OF the
/ State, 10 purchase nothing from such persons.
Merchants and trddesIurn in common with persons
engaged in every legitimate pursuit. entitled to the
fostering care OF the governments but when oforgetuI
Of social duty and regardless of the interests of their
country as to monopoise the trade in those commodi-
ties necessary for the comfort and subsistence of
our soldiers and citizens it becomes the duty of the
legislature the public guardians to adopt such
ures will prevent far possible the State and the
people from becoming the prey TO such harpies.
am gratied to be able to say shat, comparatively,
but few are engaged in this Legitimate business and Of
these, some are not regular merchants.
These attempts to speculate upon the government
and the people, are not confined to Alabama Every
State of the Contederacy is infested with this class OF
men.
stnI tNn