Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-02-05
and to deposit them, suitably labeled, in the
capitol.

and TO deposit them, suitably labeled, in the
APPROPRIATIONS.
The conptrolIer, in his report TO my pfede-
cessor, calls attention 10 the requirements OF
the constitution, that money shall only be
drawn from the treasury In consequence OF
/ appropriations made by law: tConetitnLiOn,
I art 2. eec 81 and also to the requirement N
the Code that the comptroller shall, st stated
times report "the unexpended balances OF the
several appropriations" Notwithstanding
this provision OF the constitution. with a leg
islative c. Instruction clearly indicated in the
Code, 1t Is believed that specific approprla-
tions are the exception, and that for many
yeers the public moneys have been expended
without the authority contemplated by the
constitution. II that instrument Is obeyed
and estimates required from the executive
offices, the legislature is enabled TO see what
ainHuIp nSen > may Dc nesceSssIy, H. ana can place
limit beyond which they shall not go.
| The mere fact that an appropriation is
/ TO be made requires Investigation OF the
| amount necessary to be set apart for the pur-
| pose, and promotes inquiry into former as
| we a. present expenditures, while the sys-
! tenn now prscticed does nothing to insure a
/ faithful performance OF this important duty.
| Under the present system the comptroller
! practically left to him. He is to examine
and adjust all accounts and claims against
tle state which are by law to be paid out OF
/ system it IS believed that nothing could be
/ the subject of a war; ant but such as had been
| included IN some appropriation made by law.
] - e3tSCES OF REV ENUH.
| New sou, : OF revenue cannot be created,
/ n can ebts.p3tshed ones be made more pro-
i ducttvo by legislation, buL the burdens OF tax
| alton can be equalized, and every species of
! property made to contribute. II is believed
that there are many corporations in Tennes-
see, including the railways sub ject TO taxation
that aid In nothing TO the support OF the gov
ernment, and while 1 recognize the fact that
there Is no real antagontsm between these
corporations and T. general public, such leg
isation should be adopted as Will cause them
to bear reasonable share OF the public bur-
dens.
I recommend the amendment OF the act
creating this bureau so as TO require OF the
secretary the collection, classification and
publication of a full statistical report OF the
material interests OF the States, with special
reference TO transportation, manufactures
and trade. Such report would be OF ma
terial assistance in furnishing correct data for
future legislation on questions relating 10 the
assessment and taxation of certain property
and would furnish a character Cf informa-
tion invaluable to persons looking 20 our
State as future home.
RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.
The Improvement OF the Mississippi, Ten
neSsee and Cumberland rivers should be
urged upon the Federal congress. They all
drain vast Territory, rich in everything
that contributes to the wealth OF state and
If their navigation was made ore reliable,
a new and great source of wealth would be
op ned to Tennessee and the other States
bordering these rivers, and do not doubt but
that d material increase to the population of
Improvement The appropriations hereto
fore made have been OF cOnsideral benefit,
but what Is now wanted Is SIS sucn an appropri;
the work o prosecute 1t 10 completion at an
early day. -
This is q question of great concern TO the
peop'e of Tennessee, and wnIle our State pos
sesSes unsurpassed attractions to the immi-
grant, In climate, fertility OF soil, cheap
lands, with vast mineral resources, we have
failed to advertise these advant ages, anu
submit TO the general assembly the propriety
OF such practical legislation on this subject as
ton to bring this subject to the attention OF
The world, and 1 recommend that you indi-
cate in some form the desire OF our people TO
welcome the horest immigrant, without re-
gard TO his nationality, religion or politics.
HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.
transmit the biennial report OF the trus-
tees superintendent and treasurer OF the Ten
nessee hospital Tor the insane; this report ex
htbits the operations of the institution for the
past two years, and is commended to your
thoughtful consideration.
SOLDIERS OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
l call your attention to the fact that the
services of these veterans have, as yet, re-
ceived no suitable recognition; and 1 recon-
memo the adoption OF a Joint resolution ask
ing the Federal congress to place the names
of the survivors, and the widows of thOse de-
ceased, upon the pension rolls of the govern
ment. ne grand results that followed the
achievements of the gallant soldier of the
Mexican war, are now so apparent that no
reason can bs assigned for longer Withholding
from them this simple act of Justice.
THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD.
The successful operation OF the railway sys-
tenn OF the south depends upon the early COM
pietion of an outlet TO the Pacific ocean. No
stale is more vttatly interested in the compile
ton of the Southern Pacific railroad than
Tennessee, but without some guarantee OF
assistance from the Fedf raj government the
scheme viii be Indefinitely postponed, If ii
does not r6s3it III an entire failure. 1t is now
the policy Of the government to encourage
the building OF enterprises of this character
with material aid, and whether this particu-
lar policyts in accord with the political edu-
catlon OF tne people OF tennessee Is not now
PKactlcal question. The whole theory of the
government has undergone radical change
on this subject, and it Is the part of wisdom
to recognize IL, and TO secure, II possible,
whatever advantage may result to Tennessee
and the south by ohe adoption of this policy.
l recommend, therefore, the adoption OF q
resolution inviting the attention Of the sena-
tors and represen atives In congres from Ten
nessee TO this sol bJect, and 10 the necessity of
securing such legislation by congress as will
secure the building of this railway.
LOUISIANA.
The condition of affairs in this State has ex
cited the liveliest interest on the part of the
people of Tennessee. They witness with
alarm the successful attempt that h y been
made upon the purity and independence of
the local government of Louisiana, and feel
that II the powers now exercised by the Fede-
raj government in maintaining the usurping
State government are conceded as legitimate,
their own right of seli-government may
theory now practiced by the Federal authori-
ties, hat the States are mere municipal cor
porations, TO be governed by the central au
thority at Washington, is a political heresy
that must Oe denounced and repelled by all
who seek to maintain the principles of con-
stitutional liberty submit herewith TO the
consideTa ion OF the general assembly joint
resolutions adopted by the legislatures of |
Virginia, Georgia, Ohio and Missouri upon
this subject JAS. ID. PORTER.
A special message from the governor
nothing the senate Of the appointments
of General Frank Cheatham as superin-
tendent of the penitentiary, and Sam
uel r. Anderson, DR.. Thomas Names
and Green Sawyer, inspectors, was
read and the appointments confirmed.
Bills on third reading: Mr., Hodges
bill to simplify the Judiciary system to
aid the practice in the courts of the
State, ,havinglbeen made the special order
for to-day, was discussed at great length.
The judiciary committee recommended
the rejection of the bill, which was final
ly referred to the committee on ways
and means. To abolish the office of
revenue collector, and devolving the du-
ties of that Office on the county trustee.
Made the special order for Saturday.
In the house petitions were received
from citizens of Humboldt, praying that
the limits Of the town be contracted;
from Nashville lawyers. disapproving of
doing away with the Davidson county
law court; communication from the
sheriff Of Shelby county in reference to
the cost Of running his Office, was re-
ferred to the committee on entrench-
ment; from citizens of DeKalb county,
praying to be allowed a notary public
for Alexandra.
New bills were introduced as follows:
BY Mr.. Toon: To prevent railroad acci-
dents and make it unlawful for any per-
son to ride or walk on the railroad track
unless such person Is employed by the
railroad company and employed in the
discharge Of his duty; IL such person be
killed or injured the railroad companyis
not to be liable.
BY Mr.. Giers: To include the Afzeiger
des StGedens, of Memphis, and Ten
nessee Post, at Nashville, in the list Of
papers to publish legal notices.
BY Mr.. Shackleiord: To allow the
people to vote upon the question calling
for constitutional convention.
Mr.. Trewhitt presented to the State
library through Speaker Bond, the
sword formerly belonging to Msjer
Lemuel p. Montgomery, and used by
him at the battle Of Horse Shoe. The
sword is gift to the State from Mont
gomery's nephews at Cleveland, Ten
nessee.