Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-01-22
MESSAGE from the Governor.

Ine IoHoWlng message from tue 0OVerhOEi ue
livered to the Senate Tuesday the l4th has been
published in every paper we have seen in the State.
Its recommendations are by all considered timely.
The Senate ordered 500 copies printed.
Ge,,tlene. Of the Senate and House Of Representa-
tiUes:
Just before your late adjournment you enacted .
law to reduce the military expenses of the State,
which repeats all laws and parts of laws existing in
reference thereto. The law as it now stands leaves
alternative but to disband the militia, and
that presume, is the wish of the Legislatures You
are fresh from the people, and presume reflect
their wishes. / WISH however, that in portions Of
Middle and Western Tennessee the disbanding Of
the militia may not have bad effect and that We
may not realize its bad effects in the March election
In portions of Middle and West Tennessee alone
have troops been wanted, but it would seem from
the strong vote Of she members that they are not
will rejoice 4iqra than the Chief Executive OF TIE
State.
The bill allude TO- of the 18th December, unfor-
tunately, and doubtless by an oversight on your
part takes effect from and after its passage, leaving
me without the necessary aid to wind up this branch
of the business / have neither Quartermsster,
Psymaster or Ordnance officer, or any one else to
look after the property of the State to muster out
the two remaining companies or to settle with the
officers Of those which have been recently mustered
out l should have been allowed ten or fifteen days
for these purposes
Two days after the passage of this law, by my or
ders, Major Brooks, then acting as Paymaster
through my employment paid OF at Knoxville and
New Market the companies of Captain Hall and
Captain Harris, without him or myself knowing
that the bill under consideration had become law
and was to take effect from and after its passage
The consequences is that I am responsible to the
State for the several thousand dollars paid out to
those companies unless the Legislature shall be
generous enough to legalize my acts in these re-
spects.
Pending the discussion Of that bill, and after it
was pretty we'll ascertained that the bill would pass
the officers of the several companies had informal
meetings and notified of their purposes to resign
in the event of its passage. could not do other
wise than accept their designations, as the State,
through me- had stipulated with them for the wages
laid down in the army regulations of the United
States. Your bill reduces their pay at least one
third or one-fourth
The Adiutant General has i'm osed upon him, by
your BILL ali the duties of that Office and the add-
tonal duties of private secretary of the Executive
the latter requiring almost his entire attention, and
tue latter greatly increased by the numerous app-
| cations connected with the pension department at
| Washington, fear may sometimes suffer for want
Of attention. The present incumb bent only occu-
pies the position at my earnest solicitation, as am
| somewhat particular about who shall have charge
/ of my official and private correspondence during
| my absence.
True section second of the act Of 18th December
provides that the Adjutant General shall "otacste
clerk or private secretary of the Governor in the
performance Of such executive duties as are not BY
| law imposed upon the Secretary of State" The
Secretary of State, last spring few days after the
adjournment Of the Legislature, packed up all the
blanks belonging to the executive department, and
| sent them into my office accompanied by note in
| forming me, in substance, that he would not be
troubled longer with the business of my department.
/ regarded this as a small exhibition of il-temper
/ hat ba xuouid ret and i n
tinued to treat him with the courtesy due his posi-
| tion though have not troubled him with the bus
mess of the department since. More recent occur
rences have led ME 10 the determination that, when
lose my selfrespect, and not before, viii again
| authorize the Secretary Of State to sign my name
to official documents and fiji up the blanks belong
ing 70 my department.
| asked the Legislature either TO muster out and
| pay of the two remaining companies, or 10 suthor-
ize TO employ some one to do so; and there are
reasons why this should be done without delay.
| Upon what regarded as a good and sufficient
bond ordered hundred bonds TO be issued to the
Receiver on the Nashville aad North western Rail
| road Whether the bonds should be Issued TO the
Receiver or the companies Of roads, Is q question
now in dispute, and ind legal gentlemen differ 10
| their opinions. have declined issuing any more
bonds 20 the Receiver requiring good and Sufficient
securities in every instance. As this question u one
Of vita! importance involving the interests Of the
State a,d she safety or loss Of her bonds the Leg
islature ought to settle the question definitely and
without delay.
The revenue system Of this State proves to be DE-
fective, and should be thoroughly overhaalsd and
remeditd without delay. TIE State credit must bs
preserved, and this can only be done BY promptly
meeting the interest upon our bonds. ] deem Il
unnecessary to say more than this TO body Of men
Of yo1F Intelligence and familiarity with the anAE-
ces Of the State
Your recent legislation, with view 70 economic
ing tie expenses Of the State, is move in the right
direction, and should extend 20 A the department "a
Of the StAte 1t win be found upon . close exami-
nstion everything included that session Of the
Legislature is costing the State bat little short OF
one thousand dollars per day The best thing We
can do for ourselves and the people s 70 accomplish
st once the necessary legislation, and adjourn st AZ
early period As possible
w. G. BRowELow.
January, 1858.