American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-02-03
The Governors Message.

| Governor Powers sent the follow
ing message to the Senate and
House of Representatives on the
10th inst;
Recognizing the fact that the
time during which the Legislature
should remain in session is drawing
rapidly to a close, | desire to call
your attention especially to meas
ures of general interest, which it is
important should receive your
prompt aud earnest consideration.
Within the next two weeks the
c0nvicts to the penitcntiaIy will be
thrown upon the hands of the State
and nc adequate provisions have
yet been made for receiving them.
Yen cannot longer delay taking ac-
ton upon this subject without do
ing injustice both to yourselves and
TO The public. The State finances
are suffering for the want of appro-
pirate legislation. The: unaatisfac-
tory condition of the public credit
is greatly embarrassing the admin.
istration of the government. With
State warrants at seventy cents,
and prospect ahead of still further
depreciation, the State Benevolent
Institutions will soon be obliged to
suspend operations and the officers
of the government who depend upon
salaries drawn from the State Treas
my for support will themselves be.
come subjects Of charity.
N0twitI standing you have been
in session SIX weeks no measure of
economy looking to the relief of the
treasury or Of the people from bur.
dcns0me taxation has yet been pre-
scented for my approval.
The public printing is still being
executed at the eXtravagant rates
fixed by the last Legislature. And
while that body has been severely
cenSured for suffering itself to be
overreached in fixing rates with
which its members unfamiliar by
those persons in the printing inter
est who were willing to share I'M
reasonable and unjust emoluments,
YOU Will be Justly held to a still
more rigid accountability if yOu
shall leave unrapealed or unamend.
ed IA measure of extravaganza which
experience has shown subnIdinates
the general interest to that of pri-
vate individuals.
The report of the Superintendent
of Education, soon to be transmit
ed to you, will doubtless point out
the important amendments which
are needed to the school law.
The registration and election law
adopted 10y the last Legislature is
too cumbersome and expensive, as
the results of the last election album
dainty prove. Contested cases sus-
tanned on mere technicalities are al
lowed to drag along for months in
the courts, in place of receiving
prompt aud final decision by some
competent tribunal provided for
under the law.
In order that the general appro-
priatiOn bill may receive the cOnsid-
GRAFTON which its Importance de-
[ recommend that it be
taken up at an early day.
y bill regulating the fees and sal
aries of public officers should be
brought promptly forward and
passed.
Under existing statutes no way is
provided for paying rewards offer
I'd for the capture of criminals, es-
Decially fugitives from justice who
nave escaped into other States.
This expense, | think, should be
paid by the county where the crime
5 committed, and | recommend the
passage of an act to that effect.
Several complaints have come to
ne against sheIiffs for failing
TO pursue and capture per
ans who have committed infamous
mines. recommend that the Gov
rBOr be authorized to suspend from ]