The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-01-26

In another col ann We have copied Che
portions Of the Governors message most
worthy Of popular consideration. They
present unansnerable ground Of COM
plant against the usurping lawmakers
now administering the affairs of the
State. The Governor demonstrates the
injustice and wiekedness Of the leading
measures of the party in power. Ac-
cepting tbs facts stated by him to be
true, land they cannot be successfully
eontrovertedl, these men have outrage
ousIy abused their Hl-gotten authority.
Look at the operations of the tax law.
The law itself is not only oppressive Ia
fact omitted, which ought to have been
stated }, but it opens wide the doar to
unjust discrimination and extortion- The
inequalities of the system of valuation
adopted by the Legislature are pointed
out and a reform is earnestly recon-
mended. We must protest, however,
against the standard of valuation sug-
gested in the message, as altogether too
high. The proper method of arriving at
the real value of cultivated lands is not
the quantity Of cotton, or grain, or other
produce, they are capable of yielding, but
the cost of production and the net profits
of the proprietor. Land that viii yield
400 pounds Of lint cotton per acre, the
cost of labor considered, can not be taxed
at a valuation $40 without injustice to
the owner. 1t is the experience of every
one the past season that planters whose
yields have been largest, have barely de-
frayed expenses. 1t is well to correct the
present outrageous system of fraud and
extortion; but the taxpayer will gain
little if it is to be substituted for the inn
position of fictitious valuation in an
other form.
The Governor repeats the substance of
what has heretofore been said by the
Democratic press in denunciation OF the
atrocious Imprisonment feature of the
law. He also demonstrates the harsh
operation of the clause exacting a penalty
of fifty per cent. in default OF payment of
taxes before the expiration of the time
list of March J, prescribed for the sale OF
property; and advises return to the
humane and just provisions of the old
Flaw which was set aside by the treasury
cormorants in order to hurry up the work
of confscation.
Other abuses are also pointed out.
Among them, the "grievous burdens
imposed on the taxpayers by Boards of
Supervisors in the shape of what the
Governor mildly terms "extravagant
schemes" The syindling, which is per-
petrated by this class of officials, if re-
ports be credited, is enormous, and calls
for instant correction.
The vile schemes, in virtue of which
all this villainy described by the Gov.
ernor is practiced, received his approval,
| and he must take his share of the odium
which, according to his own showing, at
taches to their authors. Nevertheless, in
the honest effort to deliver the people from
their damaging operations, it is not our
purpose to make point against him. We
have higher aim. The over-burthened
people of the State will gladly cooperate
with any man, or set of men, who viii
strive in good faith to effect care fol
the evils which afflict them.
There are other facts in the message
| which will receive attention. They ex
hibit a frightful picture of misrule ant
official corruption.