American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-01-09
The Governors Message.

The Governors Message.
We publish below certain extracts
from the message of Governor Ames
to the Legislature, now in session at
Jackson, and regret that we have
not space to give it entire. As a
State paper of no ordinary type,
the message is receiving the hearty
approval of the press throughout
the State. The extracts given be-
low must recommend themselves to
our readers as suggestions of ear
nest propriety for immediate legis
latiOn:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI,
JACKSON, January 5, 1875.
To the Senate and House Of Lepre-
seStatires
GENrLEMEN-AS representatives
of the people, You have assembled
in conformity with the Constitution,
to discharge the duties imposed up
Oh YOU as the Legislative branch of
the government. The questions for
your consideration ale of the high
est Importance, not only affecting
the personal security of many of
our fellow citizens, but even their
personal liberty.
Coming directly from the people,
you are fully informed as 10 their
necessities aud aspirations and the
State looks to you in confident be-
lief that you will give, by judicious
legislation, peace aud good order !;
promote its interests, and enhance
its prosperity, SO that the people
may rejoice in the greatest advan
t,grs and the least disadvantages
incident to human government.
1t is my duty to give you such in-
formation relative to the condition
and interest Of the government and
State, and to recommend, for your
consideration, such measures as NAV
be deemed expedient.
Detailed reports of the condition
of the several departments will be
furnis he'd you by their heads, to
which I respectfully refer you for
full accounts of their workings.
STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION.
he work accomplished by the
State Board of Equalization has
been highly important. Attention
i invited to its report. 1t will be
seen that personal property (no ac-
tion was taken as to reality, OF sub
stantially the same value in differ
ent G. unties, varied greatly, its as
sessed valuation not being the same
in any two counties, and differing as
widely as fifty-seven per cent. With
such inequality goes a correspond
ing injustice. The law, as it now
stands, permits the equalization of
personally but once ia four years.
It should he done yearly; our law
Is defective and i.uperfect. / re-
commend that it be modelled after
those Of other States where the
system has been brought to a high
state Of perfection.
We have no law relative to the
assessment and taxation of rail-
roads. By AL agreement between
some Of the railroad corporations of
tue State and the State Board of
Equalization, they were assessed at
five thousand dollars per mile, and
agreed to pay accordingly. Legis-
latiOn relative to this question is
Imperative.
PAYMENT OF TAXES IN CURRENCY.
The law passed last year, requir-
ing taxes to be paid in United
States currency, has proved emil
nently beneficial. 1t is believed
that sufficient money will he paid
into the treasury, upon a settlement
of Collectors with the State, to pay
every warrant outstanding for the
last fiscal year, and had tue season
been in any degree favorable one.
there would have been a surpiusage
to meet, in part, the expenses of
this year. A repeal of this law,
and return to the system recently
in existence, l would deem a great
misfortune to the State and an in
jury to the Taxpayer.
COMPULSORY EDUCATION.
Irenew my recommendation made
last year, ia favor of compulsory ed
ucation. 1t is the surest and safest
avenue of escape fiom embarass-
ment Of every ktnd which may sur
round us. Such laws have been iu
operation in other s; ates, with great
advantage, and eau be copied by
Us with like results.
TEMPERANCE.
The laws relative to temperance,
passed at your last regular session.
have failed u give ttOse beneficial
results 90 much desired. Appeals
come from every quarter Of the
State that the work SO bravely en-
tered upon year ago may be press
ed forward aud perfected. 1 COM
mend this subject 20 your careful
consideration.
GRAND JURIES.
Grand Juries are now selected by
the Boards Of Supervisors of coun-
ties. These Boards OF Supervisors
control and direct the finances of
counties. 1t is asserted that they
select their juries to save them
selves aud their friends from the
consequences of corrupt or illegal
acts, which they may be base enough