The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-12-03


THE CLARION, in recent issue, called
upon some of the Republican papers Of
the State for an expression of opinion in
regard to a reduction of taxation in the
State. Although it did not do us the
honor to attempt to elicit our views upon
the subject, we think the matter is of 80
serious a character and of such vital i'm
portance to the people of every section Of
Mississippi, that we have determined to
run the risk of volunteering an exposition
OF our views upon the subject, not for the
benefit of our esteemed contemporary at
jackson, but for the consideration of those
who do us the honor to place some reliance
upon the advice we sometimes, in the most
honest spirit, give them through our col
umns.
So far, then, as reduction Of taxation
at present is concerned, we think that will
Of course be dependant upon the next
report Of the Auditor. FIT is found that
the receipts into the public treasury are
in exces s Of the necessary expenses Of the
government Of the State, it will of course
become the duty Of the Legislature 10
proportonably reduce the State taxntion
But if the receipts are not equal TO, or in
excess Of legitimate State expenditures,
then a reduction of taxation would simply
be reputation, which, we are sure, no
true Mi'sissippian would sanction.
While, however, the Legislature may not
be able at once to reduce taxation, there
is one thing that is cumbent upon Il to
do, and that is to retrench every expend-
iture that can possibly be done without.
TO specify these would take up more
room than can be spared in this paper,
but we can safely assert that there are
few branches of the State service in which
great retrenchment could not be made.
The four-mill tax for school purposes
ought probably never TO have been made,
but the different counties should have
been left to levy a tax for the support Of
the schools within their several limits,
and by this means a large saving would
be saved. The number of school super
intendents might be greatly reduced
without delriment to the educational in
terests Of the people Of the State. The
salaries Of many Of the State and county
officials might be largely reduced, and at
least the same amount OF intelligence and
honesty found to perform the duties ut
the reduced rates. What sense is there
in taxing an impoverished people fifteen
or twenty thousand dollara to pay sher-
if, whose duties would be gladly perform
cd by the best business ability in the
several counties for three thousand; or
in paying to a county treasurer four, five
and even six thousand dollars for the easy
labor that any business man could perform
without interfering with his regular
occupation, and who for compensation /
would be glad to get one thousand. The I
pay of nearly all officials is too high, and /
an over burdened people will imperatively /
demand of their Legislature that it be /
reduced, and when reductions and re- 4
trenchments are made in all the depart /
ments of the public service, then reduc- 4
ton of taxation will follow We do not /
advocate a penurious system towards /
those who perform public service, but
we do say that the same rule BAT applies T
to private business engagements, should /
apply to public affairs. and that the State I
or the counties should not be required |
to paw more for services than they are
worth to individuals. Our public exPen-
ses mus be confined within the limits OF
our ability, or the State will ultimately /
be made waste. Upon a Republican
Legislature will devolve the duty Of meet
ing the demands Of Republican people I
for such a system Of retrenchments as will
relieve the State from the crushing burden
Of taxation We think they will fully
the situation, and at their
next session we confidently look for
measures that will afford a prospect for
the future that will not only bring popu-
lation TO the State, but will also stop
the sweeping tide that we every day see
pouring across the Mississippi river, in
search of more congenial homes in the
wiIds of Western Texas.