Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-10-23
MISSISSIPPI.
Third Day Of the Extra Session OF the
Legislature Governors Message
and Recommendations.
Collection Of Taxes Likely TO be Post
p0ned until February Of 1874
The Election.

. AttkcD2f ODAeAtA AAC SON 4DA
sent in his message which is quite
lengthy document. It argues at great
length las already published in the AP-
PEAL from the attorney-generaIl against
hoiding the election, citing consdtu-
tional and congressional authorities,
summing up the conclusions reached as
follows: -....
First-That the constitution and civil
government was es s.ablishei on the
tgenty-third of February, 1870. Sec
ond-That the first political year
nnder the consultation commenced on
the frst Monday in January, 1871.
Third-Thst the fractional period of
ten months, existing between the two
last mentioned dates, constitutes no
portion Of the full terms which the first
civil officers were authorized and re-
quired 10 hold. Fourth-That all Off
GERS elected in 1869, and qualified under
the constitution, were entitled TO full
constitutional terms from the first Mon
day in January, 1871. Fifth-That the
terms Of the present state officers con-
tinue until January, 1875, and until
their successors arc duly elected and
qualified. Sixth-That their successors
cannot be constitutionally elect
ed until the first Tuesday sue
ceeding the first Monday in
November, 1874. These conclusions,
which I believe, says the governor, 10
be consdtuuOnalIy sound, supported, IS
they are, by every consideration of wise
policy and regard for economical, peace
fuI government, have impelled me to
assemble your honorable bodies in extra
session. In my judgement the welfare
Of the people, and the peSce and quiet
OF the State depend largely on the result
Of your deliberations. Wisdom would
dictate that you so shape legislation as
to render unnecessary and impossible
such conflicts and complications in the
affairs Of the government as have lately
been experienced by our border States,
incident to the changing of their State
administrations. The emergency of
having two full sets of State Of
icers, and the threatening contest be-
tween three thousand county officials
from sheriffs to beat officars-On the
first of January next, the present incum-
bents claiming, under authority of the
constitution, that they are entitled to
continue in office until January, 1915,
while the newly elected officers would
peremptOrily demand their positions,
would entail a calamity upon the people
of the State, whose evil consequences
cannot be fOretOld. The solution which
is suggested is plain and simple. Re-
THHrNT a.N
visions of the election law; provide for
a general election in 1874, and biennial
ly thereafter; place our legislation in
harmony with the letter, spirit and in
tention of the constitution, and thus
save the State from immiDent dis
cord and disgrace, and consequent finan-
cial embarrassment, to say nothing Of
still graver consequence; save to the
pockets Of our Over-burdened taX-pay-
ers the hundreds of thousands of dollars
which are expended in our annual cleo |
tions; save the people from the demOT- |
alizing effects ofannual campaigns, and |
the loss of labor, political strifes and the |
neglect of private interests, which they |
always produce; save them from all |
those damaging and disastrous cOnse- I
duences which blight their political and |
material welfare, and render many of
them Indifferent 10 the results OF cleo
tions, however important, instead OF
having every voter actively interested
in securing and maintaining good
government. In this connection, |
/ call your attention to the registra ion
law passed at the last session. The 8u-
thorfty therein granted to judges and
chaneellOrs to appoint registrars, seems
clearly to be violation of article three
of the constitution, which divides the
coyernmenfinto three distinct depart
mepts, aud says that ''no person or col
lection Of persons, being one of these
departments, shall exercise any power
properly belonging to either of the 9TH
er.n The appointment OF registrars Is
plainly an executive, and not judicial
DUTY, and cannot lawfully be exercised
by Judicial officers. Unless registrars
shall be made elective, their appoint
ment should be placed under executive
control; otherwise, you subject those
officers to the very strong suspicion
that their official tenure is doubtful, If
not clearly unconstitutional Ow-
ing to the shOrtness of the
crop, the low price Of cotton
and the distress into which the people
have been thrown on account of the
financial Crisis Whlcn Is now upon the
country, 1 recommend you to consider
the propriety Of continuing the time for
the collection of taxes, for a period Of
thirty or sixty days.
In the legislature the senate commit
tee on the governors message presented
a majority and minority report. Pend
ing the discussion, resolutions relative
to Senator Seals death were introduced,
aud the subject Of election lays over un'
til tomorrow. The senate will posi-
lively favor the election next fall. A
bill was passed extending the time OF
collection Of taxes until February lst.
In the house bill Of a similar nature
was passed. Mr.. Fisher introduced
bill ia effect to postpone the election,
which passed its second reading, 6at
the house refused to suspend the rules
for third reading by a small majority
The house evidently favors postpone.