The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-10-06

wholly unit to discharge their duties, and
are without responsibility or accountable
ty. This, however, is not the fault of the
Legislature of the State except in sc
far as it encourages such men to seek foI
that position. The county levies, in a
large majority of the counties, are
extravagant and oppressive beyond 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 the work not authorized BY law, mere
~ for the purpose of making them ex-
travagant allowances. In many instances
these members are wholly ignorant, and are
completely under the control of the clerks
and Sherifs of these counties, to whom
they make extravagant allowances. This
is great evil, and we suggest that remedy
which alone seems adequate. Legislation
should be Immediately enacted, fixing
the maximum rate of taxation at so per
cent on the State beyond which they shall
not go In any instance.
These boards should also be prohibited
from making any contracts, or allowances,
or appropriations, except when there is
money in the treasury TO pay them. And
every such order or warrant so made and
ordered, when there is not money in the
treasury sufficient to pay it,, should be
declared utterly null and void, and all
persons concurring in making or issuing
them be declared guilty of misdemeanor
in Office and punishable for such, as pro-
vided by law.
There is another fruitful source of
peeulatiOn and wrong in thepOwer assumed
| by the board to allow for stationary, fuel,
etc., to the county officers. Under this
head large and unnecessary Sums are
allowed for ink, paper, envelopes, sealing
wax, gold pens, pencils and printed blanks.
| The actual cost of these things is very
little, and the actual wants of the officers
very small as compared with the amounts
| furnished. 1t is the habit of these officers
to furnish their friends and favOrites with
1 stationary at the publics expense. The
/ remedy for this is to return to the old
rule by which each officer was required to
| furnish his own stationary, wood, lights,
ETC., at his expense, except alone where
bound volumes Of record books were re-
quired.
There remains another remedy to which
we earnestly, but respectfully call the
attention OF the Legislature. II is conf
IDENTITY believed that either of the following
would tend greatly to the character and
responsibility of the Boards of Supervis-
ors. To repeal all laws allowing the
members thereof any compensation for
| their services. The services required of a
competent and faithful Board would not
exceed ten days annually, and the
work would be done within that time, il
there were no inducements in the shape
of per diem to prolong its sessions. The
service would not be more burdensome
than the liability to work on the public
roads and streets, and the members
of the Board might be exempted from
the latter duty as well as from jury SER
vice.
1t is believed that if no compensation
were allowed, no citizen would seek the
office, but that the people could find,
without difficulty, sufficient number OF
the very best men to discharge the highly
honorable and responsible duties OF
members of the Board of Supervisors.
But if this be deemed wrong, then we
suggest that the compensation Of the
members of the Board be reduced tC
twenty-five dollars per annum, and that
each member be required to give bond and
security in the penalty of two thousand
dollars, at least, by which he shall be
bound to a faithful performance of the
duties of his office, and in which he shall
be liable for all illegal allowances fol
which he may have voted. And it shall
be provided that in every instance where
an allowance or appropriation of money
is made, the names of the members voting
for and against, should be recorded, and
that such names voting for such
appropriation, be embraced in every
warrant issued on such appropriation
And in case the alternative of a salary, il
adopted, then it should be provided tha
no warrant for such salary should bt
issued in any case, except where there Il
: money in the treasury sufficient to pa.
it after first paying all prior warrant
ordered by the Board.
The necessities of the people, deman'
: further time within which to pay thei
} taxes for the year 1874. a delay of sixt
+ or ninety days would afford great an
needful relief and if then the lands 0
$ delinquents have to be sold, the period 0
e redemption should be two years and tn
= damages twenty-five per cent. for eac
: year.
We feel constrained to call you
! attention to the many thousand acres Q
land now held by the State under sales 70
taxes in arrears and unpaid. Practically
; these lands are a burden to the State, an
useless tor all revenue purposes. Man
: of them were sold during the last wal
e and some in 1913 If the titles could
u depended upon at all, 1t would be wise
husband the resources thus provided an
await the developments of the future bt
} the tax titles, we may fairly assume, a
: all worthless. The great object to be s.
= cured is, to make these lands available fl
purposes of revenue, and we suggest tn;
the owners, or parties interested therein
a be allowed to redeem them on payment
u of the State tax for 1874-and if not r
ID deemed by the LIST July next, that they ms
= be sold TO any one upon the zane term
Nor would we restrict any one as to the rig
re to purchase and would allow any ma
er to buy any quantity he may desire. tn
1t policy would defeat the purpose of tho
is who suffer their lands to be held by Il
I. State because of the invalidity of her tt
Z, titles.
1T CONCLUSION.
- In conclusion we beg to assure yo
." honorable bodies that in thus exercisii
the sacred right of petition, we have n
DC intended to cast any reflection upon ii
al or former Legislatures, nor have We be
ne Influenced by any motive of gaining
lg party advantage. The members of I
ne Convention which presents this petit
81 belong to all parties We regard the gre
interests OF the State and her people,
We much impoverished by the abuses
en- complain of. : as too high aud sacred to