The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-03-01

on the idea that be had not faith nIlly exc
cuted his plainly declared trust.
Ii is foreign 10 the purpose OF the under
signed to enter upon the consideration
of the collection of the two aud three
per cent. fund which Is prominently
/ introduced into the letter Of tll- Governor.
! Its history is that OF a past gene alton. IL
occurred twenty or more years ago. It Is
not the matter we are now called to deal
with. and will be dismissed Wilh the re-
mark. that Ex-Governor Alcorn was a MEM
Der of the Legislature at that time and at a
subsequent period and failed TO arraign the
( guilty parties, thereby losing the opportu-
nirv 10 do the State the service he would
fain perform in resurrecting IL at this late
day. 1t certainly has no relevancy what
ever TO the grave matter OF the appropria-
ton of the proceeds of the land scrip
donated by Congress 10 Mississippi for
specific purposes, and required To be held As
a sacred trust in the manner specified in
the act making the grant.
The House cannot fail 10 perceive that
one of the serious results likely 10 occur
from the failure 10 make the investment in
bonds Immediately" rs reqrired by act OF
the Legislature, IS the loss 10 the State OF
the interest of five months, which would
have accrued, and il will be for the Legisla-
ture 10 determine what action shall be taken
to guard against this loss, which will in
volve a considerable sum.
In performing the duty devolyed upon
him by the House. the undersigned owes it
TO himself TO repel the imputation Of ex-
Governor Alcorn, who was authorized 10 re-
ceive and sell the land scrip, that he or any
one acting with him sought Ito defame him.
By adopting the resolution of Inquiry the
House itself assumes the responsibility
which attaches to IL. and falls under the i'm
piled accusation The inquiry of "A subject
of such magnitude as the one under consid-
Grafton, whether regarded as a matter of
pecuniary value to the State or of plighted
fni m
proper. If the result of the investigation
does not confer lustre upon the agent
charged with a negotiation, the blame must
belong to him and not to this body nor TO
the members who have prosecuted the in
quiry by its direction. It is held that none
are so great as To be above the restraints of
the law. Whilst none are too obscure or too
poor to receive its protection. THIS being
true, it is submitted that the conduct of
even high officials can be inquired into
without defamation" especially when they
are handling public funds. and that too
without the usual restrictions being thrown
around them.
IL is for the wisdom of the Legislature TO
decide whatever means may be necessary
To secure compliance with the law of the
State and with the conditions of the grant.
The undersigned cannot close this report
without word OF comment on the Mes
sage, in regard to the subject matter OF
this report by the present acting Governor.
His fitness for the responsibilities of the
high office which he holds might by strangers
he gravely doubted, especially when he as
sumes TO censure the proceedings of this
body i'm instituting Investigation into sub
ject of the greatest importance To the peo-
pie whom 10 represents. 1t would seem
that he is quite as ignorant of the meaning
of language. as he is OF the requirements OF
the office he holds when he imputes mo-
tive to SANDER an officer of the State, sim
ply for investigating his acts and for pre-
senting undeniable facts in reference there
to- Nor is il to be assumed thaha person.
whether he be a citizen or "A NONRESIDENT
Of the State, who happens To fill the Exec
utive office of a reconstructed State is In
consideration thereof TO be held free from
the Governor of one of these States is n
fugitive from justice beyond the confines of
the United States, and another is under in
dictment for a disgraceful crime. That
another has been removed from Office by
another is suspended from the performance
of his executive functions, and awaits the
action of the Legislature upon charges Of
gross malfeasance which have been prefer
red against him. Therefore, with such SIR
rOundiugs. the undersigned INDUCES the
hope that his EXcellency will not exhibit
such sensitiveness, about "A matter of
grave moment. couchcd in respectful Ian
guage-but will rather preserve chat phitO-
sOphjcaL equilibrium and becoming dignity that
attaches 10 the high Office of Chief Magis
trate of sovereign State.
ROBERT LOWRY,
Chairman.