The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-01-07

Scholarships in the two universities be
aboliAhed. These remarks apply, also,
to the Normal schools.
Whilst we cordially endorse the Wis
dom of that policy which extends to the
children of the State the advantages OF
free common school education, We re-
spectfully submit that our present legls-
lation in that respect is radically defec-
tive in theory and in its practical workings
Is great wrong rather than of benefit 10
her citizens. The present rate of taxa
ton for purposes of education and the
appropriations made for that purpose
amounts TO the enormous sum OF $615,-
600 annually-greatly more than Is ne
eessary for carrying on the State gov
eminent. We suggest that the mistake
in this matter has been this. The at
tempt has been made on an impoverished
State, with all its industrial pursuits in a
deranged and constantly changing condi-
ZION, and all of its property values great
ly deprecated, to suddenly inaugurate r
complete system of common schools fully
adequate 10 the wants of the whole PEG
pie of the State, and to extend this even
to collegiate education. Whilst this
would be well enough perhaps in a great,
prosperous and wealthy commonwealth
vet the attempt in our State in its present
condition has been productive of such m
enormous taxation "a to bring ruin To the
doors of the parent in the attempt to ed
ucate the child, and TO produce in the
public mind a growing and annually in
creaslng hostility to the policy Of free
education itself We therefore respect,
| fully suggest thorough change of the
law in 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 Superintendents be
reduced rs herein recommended and
that the effort be directed to the gradual
and economical building up of common
school system which shall not by its en-
ormous exactions excite the hostility ol
the citizen, but will rather attract 10 it
self his 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repealed.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 Superintend-
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 annunn, ex-
cept when the services of conn 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-
ploved. For second class st hools $50 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. III Of The constitution
We ask, however, that biennial sessions
he 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
of legislation, when the same end would
ne attainable by general laws
One of the evils of the times is exces-
sive legislation. Statutes are passed and
then modified or repealed, in whole or in
part, without due deliberation, and the
result is that the statute laws of the State
are becoming more and more intricate and
confused, at every succeeding session of
the Legislature. The laws should be
plain and simple, so that the citizen may
without danger of mistake conform his
action to them
There are many other abuses in the
administration besides those we have re-
ferred to. We leave these to the wis
dom and patriotism of the Legislature to
correct.
But probably the most fragrant evil of
which the taxpayers complain, and the |
greatest outrages perpetrated on their
rights, arise from the action of the Boards |
OF Supervisors.
This court is really the most impor-
tant of any in the State, and should be |
Of the very best men i'm the /
several counties. AS a general rule, we |
are sorry to say, that the members Of this |
board are wholly unfit to discharge their I
duties, and are without responsibility or
accountability. This, however is not
the fault Of the Legislature of the State;
except in so far as it encourages such /
men to seek for that position The coun-
ty levies, IN large majority OF the coun-
ties, are extravagant and oppressive be-
yond all endurance. The contracts for
public work are made without economy
or care, and with a reckless Indifference
to the interest Of the public These
boards, IN some instances, employ their
own members to do work not authorized
by law, merely for the purpose of mn
king them extravagant allowances. In
many instances these members are wholly
and are completely under the
control OF the clerks and sheriffs of these
counties, to whom they make extravapant
allowances. This is Il great evil, and we
suggest that remedy which alone seems
adequate. Legislation should be immedi-
itely enacted, fixing the maximum rate
If taxation at so per cent. en- the State
beyond which they shall not 20 in any
Instance.
These boards should also be prohibit
ID from making any contracts, or allow
lnces, or appropriations, except when
mere Is money in the treasury to pay
hem. And every such order or warrant
% made and ordered, when there is not
money in the treasury sufficient to pay
t, should be declared utterly null and
'oid, and all persons concurring in ma
ing or issuing them be declare guilty ,
i mlsdemeanor in Office and punisha-