The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-03-17

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/ Document l.. shows a rccapitu-
lation Of the disbursements
by Warrant on all accounts
from October 10Th. 1888 20
! March lst, 1870 10 be ..... S23lg5J2 so
/ The Treasurer's report 90 this
Office shows the amount Of
outstanding Warrants TO the
LIST March, 1870. to be 80. s2iO7l2 y
/ And the outstanding Warrants
on account OF the Constitu-
| tional Convention 20 be - st7.2sI So
Owing to the fact that the salaries Of .Tu-
dical and other officers OF the state are 10
be fixed by your Honorable body nt its pres
ent session IL Is Impossible that the Auditor
can estimate the probable expenses Of thp
Government for tho coming fiscal year.
Tie receipts at the Treasury viii proba-
bly, amount 10 E55OOO0 90 This Is sim
ply an approximation founded upon the
receipts at the Treasury, for the fiscal year
1865:
Document NJ shows the amount due the
several Cblckasaw counties. on account OF
interest on the Chicasnw school fund, Co Ist
Of November. 1869. under act OF March ia,
1850 TO be Sl5l.9l6 o..
The amount due by the State on account
Of the Chickasaw school fund arising from
The sale OF Chickasaw school lands T. aSl3,-
GS7 02.
Upon which amount the seml-annual IN
terest due said counties b. computed.
LANDS HELD ny The STATE ron TAXES.
I would respectfully suggest that some al
teration be made In the laws on this subject.
The state now holds over two millions of
acres of delinquent lands. aud is AZ an am
nual expense Of at least thirty thousand dol
las for taxes on the same, even nt the pres-
ent low rate OF taxation, a. shown by the
records Of this Office for the year 1868 A
portion of said lands has been held by the
State since the year lSiS.
BY judici1us legislation these lands cOuld
be made source OF great revenue 10 tho
State, and furnish homes fsr thousands Of
her citizens. In this connection ] would
respectfully recommend that the penalty in
the form of damages where lands are drlin-
quent for taxes. be Increased al least 100 per
cent believing that thereby fewer lands
would be suffered 20 become delinquent nnd
that more of said lands would be- purchased
by the citizeus OF the State. The enormous
expense attending the sales Of lands 10 the
State for taxes could be, 10 a great extent
avoided By requiring simply certified lists
of lands sold 20 the State for taxes, 90 DO
furnished to the Auditor Of Public Accounts
by the clerk, after said list b filed in his Of
lice. as now required by law.
The costs Of deeds &c frequently amount
on small subdivisions Of land, 60 ten times
ia" actual amount Of taxes assessed on tho
same.
/ would respectfully offer the following
suggestions To your honorable body Our
State, at this time, presents the anomalous
condition OF having no public debt an set
being no funds In the treasury 20 nay them.
This condition of affairs should not exist
The resources OF the state are ample, and
her citizens should not be subjected 70 loss
on account of any depreciation at her paper.
AS To the remedy for this evil, there may be-
great diversity Of opinion. After much
thought and consideration l have come %
the conclusion that under the existing state
Of affairs the best course 10 be pursued
would be to fund all outstanding warrant
at fair rate OF interest thus securing
loan from our own people then require the
taxes Of the State 70 be paid in currency ana
the tax collectors 20 report % the Auditor
aud pay into the Treasury, quarterly, an
taxes collected by them.
1 would further suggest that the Auditor
be authorized 20 employ "A hnhncthl agent
whose duty IL shall be 10 look after the state
revenue, examine the assessments rolls Of
the several counties and see that they are
properly made. Also, when necessary, %
examine the books OF the tax collectors In
order 20 ascertain that their reports are cOr-
rect aud promptly transmitted % the Audi
tor; TO see that proper bonds are
given. so far as all State agents are con-
cerned, and % discharge such other duties
rs may be required under the instruction Of
the Auditor. The business Of this Office has
increased, IN the last five year,, % least five
told, while the law concerning the clerical
force remains unchanged. Ia consequence
Of this. I found the business Of the Office
somewhat In arrears when i entered upon
the discharge OF my outleaf hVAWllNalhualhG
the long experience. great efficiency and
promptness Of my predecessor, Hon. 4. II.
Swami. and his assistants. The Command
ing General afforded temporary relief by
authorizing the employment Of two addl-
tional clerks. and, a. the duties Of the oflco
are arduous, complicated. and Of great res
pons lbiluiy. the faithful discharge Of which
can hardly be Oyer-estimated, they demand
the very best clerical ability on the part on
assistants. /. Therefore. respectfully rCeom-
mend and urge that their compensation b.
80 increased that such can be secured.
The Auditor I'LL always be found Willing
aud ready 20 furnish any Information at bis
command. and 20 co operate iu every wav
possible with. your honorable body 10 pro-
mote the interests and prosperity OF our be-
loved State and people.
With great respect.
Your obedient servant,
"a. MUSGROVE.
Auditor Of Public Accounts.
AUD'Rs OFFICE Jackson, Miss Mar. s. 20