The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-01-11

commend to popular favor the policy set
! forth, its fruits must be made manifest by the
wayin which the present inflated system of
State credit shall be forced to yield in the re-
duction of all expenditures for State purposes
when placed upon basis of United States
! currency.
I The entire proposition which have sought
to present in relation TO finances may be re-
duced Ia one of simple arithmetic, and its so
luton may be found in that answer TO the
following questions How much can
the State save by paying promptly, at
| given time, seventy-fve cents for what at a
subsequent period, she would be obliged to
paw one dollar? And, how much would an
officer, creditor, beneficiary of the State
lose by receiving seventy-fve cents in cur
| rency in pface Of an Auditors warrant for
ore dollar, and from which only seventy-five
cents can be realized on the market?
In addition to the general curtailment of
expenditures. which IS contemplated in
change in the administration of State fnan-
ces, desire to call your attention To special
measures of reform.
PUBLIC PRINTING.
The rates established for public printing
ara exorbitant. The benefits derived by the
people on account of the great number Of
journals, reports and other public documents
that are annually distributed, are not com
mensurate with the costs of publication. The
volume of laws published at the close of each
session of the Legislature is composed, in
part VI STdillSt bllls III Ttfltis
and other private acts, which are of no gen
eral interest or Importance and they serve to
make the volume mbersome rather than
to increase its usefulness.
In order TO cut off this very expensive and
comparatively useless class OFF legislation, 1
recommend that general corporation act b..
passed. and also act regulating county
affairs, including the Incorporating Of cities
and towns, and for altering and amending the
charters of the same.
/ further recommend that no bill of a sps-
cial or private character, involving only in
dividual interest, shall be entertained BY
either branch of the Legislature, unless the
plrty asking such private or special legisla-
ton shall first produce a receipt from the
treasurer showing that an amount Of money
sufficient to defray the expenses of the same
has been deposited to the credit of tho State,
1t is a correct pridciple of legislation that.
IN all cases where a general law can be made
applicable, no special law should be enacted.
recommend that tho Legislature shall pro-
vide, by law, that the fuel, stationery, and
printing paper, required for the use of the
State, and also the copying, printing, and
binding the laws, journals, and other public
documents ordered by the Legislature shall
be let by contract to the lowest responsible
bidder.
THE LEGISLATURE.
During the past two years the expense of
the legislative department has been the
largest item in the disbursements of the treas
y
to justify it, no longer exist. II is in your
power to make the cost for legislation com
paratively light by short and active session.
Whether you will use a careful economy in
all the OUTLAWS incident to the organization
and proceedings of your respective bodies
rests entirely with yourselves.
The doubtful luxury of committee clerks
and other supernumerary officers may well be
with by body of industrious men
whoare 1citting to perform clerical duties
well As able to do the FRAMEWORK of forming
laws for the commonwealth.
Reposing the utmost confidence in your
integrity and devotion, | commend You and
your labors to the guidance and control of
the Supreme Law-Giver of the Universe
with the assurance that / will heartily CO
operate with you in any and all measures
calculated to promote the peace and happi-
ness of the people, and to increase the pros
pei-ity of our beloved Mississippi.
r. G. POWERS
Governor