The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1875-01-12

law III this respect that the present tax for |
educational purposes be greatly reduced |
that free education be restricted sim
ply to elementary grammar schools, that
the pay Of County Superintendent be
reduced as herein recommended and
that the effort be directed to the gradual
and economical building up of a common
school system which shall not by its en-
ormous exactiOns excite the hostility of
the citizen, but will rather attract 10 it.
self bis support and affection.
The Commissioner of Immigration is
an unnecessary Office. His duties are
nothing; his services of no value. We
suggest that his salary might be abol-
ished, or made merely nominal, and all
appropriations subject to his control be
repealed.
| The salaries of County Supe1intend-
ents of Education might be saved by
uniting that office having such light du-
ties, with that of Sheriff, with an extra
compensation of $50 90 per annum, ex-
! cept when the services Of a com| etent cit
izen can be got for that sum-
The salaries of teachers in the common
schools are far greater than is necessary
to secure the services of the persons en-
| ployed. For second class schools S25 90
per month would be ample, and for first
class $50 90.
On this subject we suggest that con-
stitutional amendment is necessary in
order to give to the present common
schools the benefits Of fines, fOrfeitures
and licenses now required to be funded
The sessions of the Legislature
should be biennial. 1t is within the
power Of the Legislature to fix by law
that it should meet only once in two
, years. This is the plain meaning OF
Section 6, Art II of the constitution
We ask, however, that biennial sessions
be not left to the discretion of the Leg
stature, but that the rule be adopted by
constitutional amendment.
| The constitution should also be amend
ed so as to prohibit all special legislation
a great portion of the time of the Leg
islature is now spent in making that kind
Q Of legislation, when the same end woulC
be attainable by general laws.
One of the evils of the times is exces
4 sive legislation. Statutes are passed anC
= then modified or repealed, in whole or il
= part, without due deliberation, and tn,
e result is that the statute laws of the Stat
are becoming more and more intricate ant
j. confused, at every succeeding session o
e the Legislature. The laws should b
s plain and simple, SO that the citizen ma,
without danger of mistake conform hi
O action to them.
o There are many other abuses in tn
g administration besides those We have re
). ferred to. We leave these to the wis
i dom and patriotism of the Legislature t
+ correct.
~ But probably the most fragrant evil c
which the taxpayers complain, and tn
, greatest outrages perpetrated on thei
rights, arise from the action of the Board
= of Supervisors.
n This court is really the most impol
" composed of the very best men in til
70 several counties. As general rule, W
20 are sorry to say, that the members of tn
# board are who'll y unfit to discharge the
l. duties, and are without responsibility {
p accountability. This, however, is nc
q. the fault of the Legislature of the State
70 except IN so far as it encourages sue
70 men to seek for that position. The cour
a ty levies, In large majority of the couI
&C. ties, are extravagant and oppressive b,
Il yond all endurance. The contracts tC
,,r public work are made without econom
. or care, and with a reckless indifference
~ to the interest Of the public. Thes
NJ boards, in some instances, employ the
n own members to do work not authorize
70 by law, merely for the purpose Of m;
Va king them extravagant allowances. !
q, many instances these members are who'll
> ignorant, and are completely under tn
control OF the clerks and sherifs of thes
> counties, to whom they make extravaga
- allowances. This is a great evil, and "
- suggest that remedy which alone seen
Z adequate. Legislation should be immed
: ately enacted, fixing the maximum raj
' Of taxation ut 80 per cent. Gu the Stat
: beyond which they shall not go in an
W instance.
" These boards should also be prohibi
.e ed from making any contracts, or ALLOW
ances, or appropriations, except whe
O. there is money in the treasury to pa
y. them. And every such order or warra1
20 so made and ordered, when there is NJ
: money in the treasury sufficient to pa
"A it, should be declared utterly null an
a void, and all persons concurring in m,
i. king or issuing them be declared guilt
+ Of misdemeanor in office and punish:
bic for such, as provided by law.
l., There 10 another fruitful couroo ,