Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-03-23
MISSISSIPPI.
Tne Question OF AdjOurHment-EquaI-
izatIOn Of Values-6OOd Bills a
Pleasant Topic.
POstpOnement OF the Election Of Mem.
bers Of COLgress-N0t a Good
Year for New Counties,
Etc., Etc.
From Our Special Correspondent !

From Our Special Correspondent
JACKSON, Miss, March 20, 1874
The people of this State will breathe
easier after the first of April-that Is,
provided the legislature conforms td
It's promise and adiourns upon that day.
30 far, however, their fears of iniauitous
laws being enacted have not been real
lied to any alarming extent. The worst
bill yet Introduced passed the senate day
before yesterday, and it is highly proba-
bic VIII go through the house, This is
THE EQUALIZATION BILL.
It authorizes the appointment of q
board OF equalization in each county,
which board may add to or deduct from
the valuations given in by the assessor,
though it may not decrease the aggre-
gate assessment. 1t also authorizes q
State board of equalization, which may
add to or deduct from the aggregate
county valuation, though it may not
decrease the general aggregate valua-
tions of the State. You will readily see
what wide field it opens to dishonest
boards. Suppose Mr.. Smith owns q lot
of land, which he values at ten dollars
an acre, and pays one thousand dollars
taxes on it. The board sees here a good
chance for few dollars. It says to Mr..
Smith; "YOur lands are worth more;
we will value them at fifty dollars an
acre, and you must pay five thousand
dollars taxes" Mr.. Smith takes the
hint, and puts a thousand or so
dollars where it will do the most
good. He is compelled to do that, or
pay the unjust assessment. There is no
remedy for him. There is no appeal
from the decision of the board. He
may be an honest and conscientious
man, but rather than have the four
thousand dollars taken from him dis
honestly and unjustly, he will dishOn-
estly give up a thousand or so. This is
only one of the many bad features of the
bill.
The bill was passed in caucus by the
Radicals, and when brought up in the
senate, was rushed through, under the
operation of call for the previous ques-
ton, without giving its opponents an
opportunity to discuss or amend it.
Thiite senators entered their earnest
protest against the bill and the manner
Of its passage. 1t is pleasanter, how
ever, to speak of
THE GOOD BILLS,
and there are two or three which NAV
be so spoken of. One of these, q house
bill, passed the senate to-day, and came
from the committee on retrenehment
and reform. 1t provides that in the
trial or criminal cases special UeEire
shall not be summoned until the
prisoner pleads, and that then the trial
must go forward unless for some good
cause occurring after the pleading.
From this Vey1STe shall be selected Jury
which shall serve during the term of
,he court, and only those chosen for
urOrs shall receive mileage and per
item, those not selected to receive mile
ige only. 1t is estimated that this bill
will save to the State at least seventy
i've thousand dollars year.
Another bill lately passed the house
viii save to the State seventy-fve thou
and dollars this year, at any rate. 1t
)ostpOnes the election for members Of
congress from this fall to the general
dectlOn next year. It will meet with |
ONE opposition in the senate, though !
hardly enough to defeat 1.-THE princi- |
Dal opponents there being gentlemen of |
aspirations, who will wish |
he e!ection to come off this fall, so that, |
failing in that, they may set their trig- |
ers for something in the general cleo |
ion following. This is not a good year |
Or
NEW COUNTIES,
hough several are asked foe. The latest |
equest comes from the discontented resi-
ents of the city and neighborhood of |
'rawford, which is in the county of |
Ioxubee, who promise to sever devout-
7 pray" etc., if the honorable legisla-
ire will chip off slices of Noxubee,
iowndes, Oktibbeha and Winston coun-
es, and make them a little county of
heir own. But the honorable legisla-
Ire is not In cOunty-making humor,
nd 1--WE, the citizens" of that section
re not likely to be gratified. Likewise
lose politicians from Water Valley.
Fater Valley is nice place, with nice
eople, but 1t will have to survive q
bile longer without rejoicing in the
onor OF being the capital of a new
,unty.
BE CHALMERS SHACK ELFoRD WAR
over. A compromise has been effect
!, and General Chalmers left this af-
rnoon for his home, and Judge Shack
ford will return to his district. By
lis compromise, the counties of Tunica
nd Coahoma are returned to the
yelfth Judge Fisher's) district.
bill to this effect passed
9TH houses to-day. This places
eneral Chalmers out of Judge Shack
ford's Jurisdiction, so it is not likely
lat the war will be renewed. / may
Id, for the benefit of your readers in
lat section, that the next term of the
rcuit court in Tunica county will COM
Ience the second Monday in June We
ave had perfect deluge of rain dur
g the week, and while 1 write it is
gain coming down in torrents. No
Iilroads have been washed, however,
] far, and trains arrive with their ac-