The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-01-18

The Taxpayers have occasion 10 lie
assured that the Conservative members
Of the Legislature, who were elected
upon the pledge of correcting the abuses
which have characterized the adminis-
tration of ali the departments Of the
State government, win leave no means
unemployed to fulfill their obligations.
They have commenced the work IN
earnest, aud if not impeded by obstacles
thrown in the way by the Radical major
ity, they will accomplish great thing
for the tax payers.
The following resolution is intended to
explore crying abuse to which reference
is made in the Governors message.
Undoubtedly gross frauds have been
committed somewhere by parties charged
with the collection Of taxes and of paying
over the same. Representatives have
reason to believe that sums, making In
the aggregate large amount, have been
paid in currency which has not reached
its proper destination. In order to probe
this matter, Mr.. Sessions, of Franklin,
has introduced the following resolution
in the House
Resolved. That a special commit e OF
five be appointed by the Speaker TO exam
inc the books of the Auditors office, ascer-
tain and report 10 this House what amount
has been received by the Auditor for the
purchase of lands held by the State for
taxes, BY whom paid, and whether in cur
rencv. State warrants or certificates of
Indebtedness; also, what amount, and
whether in currency, state warrants or
certificates of indebtedness, has been paid
| into the State Treasury; also. what amount
has been paid by the different sheriffs OF this
State for taxes to the Auditor OF Public
Accounts. and whether ia currency or not,
also, what funds have been paid into the
| State Treasury by the Auditor; and that
| the committee inquire into the amounts
paid 70 the Auditor by the several sheriffs
1 for school purposes, and what amounts
were returned as the pro rata share of said
counties, and whether said amounts were
/ in currency or State paper.
Another resolution as follows has been
/ introduced by Mr.. Mcintosh of Chicka-
saw, the necessity of which will be readi-
ly seen
Resolved. That special committee offive
/
this House what legislation. if any, is ne
cessary In regard to lands held by the State
( for taxes. on which lands the owners thereof
have paid said taxes; and what taxes have
| been paid by the State TO counties on State
| lands in said counties. and that the Auditor
/ of Public Accounts and Secretary of State
/ be directed TO Grnish said committee such
! information as they may possess IN their
respective Offices touching said matters.
I The expenditure on account of the
Judiciary is a fruitful source of complaint.
They have swollen from $50, 900 to S125,
| 900 under Citizens administration to
from $500, 900 to S240,000 under Mon
grel misrule. To remedy this evil, it is
proposed 10 diminish the number of
Circuit Judges and to reduce the pay of
Chancellors and District Attorneys. 1t
seemed to be the main object of the adj
venturers who framed the existing Con-
stitution and laws to create the largest
possible number of offices with the most
extravagant salaries attached.
Thus, Art 6, Sec. II Of the Constitu-
| ton prohibits more than four counties in
Chancery District The labor is there
fore necessarily light; and yet the pay
of the Chancellor, is SO, 800
Judge Wiley p. Harris one of oul
mos. distinguished lawyers, when on
the bench served District composed
of II counties, and at that time Cir
cult Courts had chancery jurisdiction.
The Judges then performed the same
duties now performed by Judges and
Chancellors. Their salary was 81, 500,
1t commanded the services of the best
| legal talent in the South. Such men
as Cothran, Hamm, Watts and the late
VIM. L. Harris, and the late j. S. Yer
ger, were on the bench. Then we had
the Circuit Judges and no Chancellors.
Now we have fifteen Circuit Judges and
twenty Chancellors to perform the same
work at cost of SO, 500 each
And so, with District Attorneys. Their
number is enlarged, consequently their
work is diminished but their salary is
increased. They now receive 81, 500. Two
thousand dollars, will be fully adequate
compensation. 1t must not be forgotten
that they are permitted to practice in
civil cases and many of them do lucra-
tive practice. Hence, it is eminently just
to make the reduction.
To effect, in part at least, this needed
reform in the Judiciary, Gen. Lowry has
made the following report from the APP
,propriate Committee, which we feel con-
tident will receive the support of the
Conservative members, and We hope also
of the Radicals
AN ACT, in relation to the salaries of
-Chancelors and District Attorneys:
SEC. l. BE it enacted by the Legislature
of the State of Mississippi That Section
9SS Art Chapter of the Revised Code be
and the same is hereby repealed.
SEC ;. Be it further enacted. That the
Chancellors now in Office in this State and
hereafter appointed. shall each receive an
nually a salary of two thousand dollars 10
be paid quarterly out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated and il
shall be the duty of the Auditor of Public
Accounts to issue a warrant therefor.
SEC. 3. Be il further enacted. That the
District Attorneys now in office in this
State, and hereafter elected shall each re-
ceive annually salary OF two thousand dol
lars to be paid quarterly, out of any money
in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
and it shall be the duty of the Auditor of
Public Accounts to issue warrant therefor.
SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That this
Act take effect, aud be in force from and af-
ter its passage.
S
The Carroll Delegation.
We are fratified 10 he informed that