The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-12-21
Room OF THE JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE /
TO INQUIRE INTO THE CONDITION OF THE [
LATE INsURRECTIoNARY STATES.
Washington, ID. c., -, 1871. !

Room OF THE JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE
TO INQUIRE INTO THE CONDITION OF THE {
LATE lNsURRECTIoNARY STATES.
Washington, ID. c., -, 1871.
SIR: The Joint Select Committee OF Con
gress to inquire into the condition of tn,
late Insurrectionary States mas adopted the
following resolution:
"Resolved, That the subcommittee OF
three heretofore appointed to prepare di
gest of official documents relating to TIN,
debts of the States and cities named, and the
rates OF taxation therein, be re-appoipted,
and that the reports submitted by said sub
committee be recOmmitted to it; and thar
said subcommittee proceed TO procure suci,
additional official documents and informa-
ton as may be material to their inquiry
aud report to the committee a digest of the
laws of the several States regulating elec-
tiOns therein. and also digest of the debt-
of the said States and cities, and the rates
of taxation therein"
The subcommittee respectfully request
you to furnish any informatoR within your
reach responsive TO the following points ol
inquiry, viz:
l. What was the actual Indebtedness OF
the State in July. 1851! What at the sur
render, in 1865! What at the Inauguration
of the present government under the recon
struction acts? What on the LIST of Janu-
airy, ISL!
2-For what amount was the State rcspon-
sible. cOllaterally, as indorsevs or otherwise
in 1861?
3. For what amount was it prospectively
liable in 1861, contingent upon the perfor-
nance of conditions by corporations. OF
others, or for the completion of works be-
gun or ordered
4. What part of the increase of the in
debtedness since 1865 arose from the collat-
eral res ponSibility of 1861. ''as indorser OF
otherwise?" what from the contingent OF
prospective liability of 1861? What from
accrued interest unpaid upon the old debt
What from the necessities created by the
loss. during the rebellion. of public funds
dedicated to specific purposes, and of which
the State, or its authorized agents, had tho
management?
5. Give the items separately which make
up the increa e, with a reference to the laws
| authorizing the same, and state what num-
Der of those voting for the laws belonged
respectively TO each of the two leading pc
litical parties i'm the Legislature. Give also
che main reasons which were supposed to
render necessary the passage of the laws.
g.. State whether any public fund dedica-
ted to pecific purposes, and of which the
| State or it's agents had the management, was
/ lost during the rebellion, and how il was
| lost; whether the State is bound for it, and
what steps have been taken to replace it.
z. Have there been any considerable-losses
sustained by the State from defalcatiOn
fraud, or Encouragement of the public
moneys or bonds OF the State since 1856
| How, when, and under whose responsibility
| were such losses sustained? Does the cul-
pability rest on members of only one polit-
| ical party, or otherwise?
s. What was the county taxation for 1860
| and what for 1870?
/ 9. What was the average cost of conduct
| ing the State government for the years lS5:
SO and go, and what for che years 1s6S-'6s
| and 20?
10. If there is any considerable increas'
in such cost, give the reasons why sucf
| increase was necessary.
/ IL. What material changes in the manner
of conducting elections were made frou
1851 to the surrender In 1865: What iron
the surrender to the Inauguration OF th'
/ present government? What since?
/ IL If any such changes have been mad
since the Inauguration of the present gov
eminent, please state what eaus wer
supposed 70 render them necessary o
advisable?
Is. III such changes have given rise t
unfairness or frauds in elections. pleas
state how, and whether it has been confines
10 one political party or otherwise.
The object Is to ascertain the condition II
1850 81 the condition at the surrender il
1865 the condition At the Inauguration O
the present governments under the recon
| struction acts; and TO compare each will
the other, and with the condition nj present
II Please answer as fully and explicitly a
|. you well can. The investigation is deeme'
ofimportance TO the future interests of th
, States under investigation.
The little time Left before the meeting G
Congress renders il very desirable that W
receive your answer Mt the earliest possibl
time. Very respectfully.
JOHN POOL.
Chairman Of the Subcommittee.