Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-02-05
Unoccupied Lands-Gen. Cheatham Su-
periRtendent Of the state Peniten.
tlary-InspectOrs Confirmed.
Bill to Simplify Judiciary of State
Trustees TO Collect Taxes-COm-
municatiOn from the sheriff
OF Shelby.
Bill to Protect Railroad COmpa Bies-
The Memphis AnzieEer-''Le Sabre
au Mon Perez = Senator
johnson for Memphis.

Special TO the Appeal
NASHVILLE, February 4.-In the sem
ate Messrs. Butler, Ellis, Polk and
Smith were absent. A petition was re-
ceived from citizens Of Tullahoma, pray
ing the legislature to adopt some meas
ure for the increase OF the volume Of
currency in the State. Also o petition
frOu Robert NJ. Berton and James w.
M'Henry, commissioners appointed by
the last legislature, praying the legisla-
ture to pass bill providing for resur-
veying certain uDoccupied lands In the
State.
The message from the governor is as
follows:
The Governors Message.
Gentlemen OF the Senate and House OF Rep
resentativts:
The constitution OF the State i'm poses upon
me the duty of making such recommenda-
tions TO the general assembly as ! may deem
tXpedient. But tue elaborate message of my
immediate predecessor, coupled with your
action, covers the entire field of legislation,
and will only direct your atteB tion briefly TO
few questions, most OF which are already
embodied in bills now pending before you,
an as paramount 10 al other questions call
your attention TO the fact that in all sections
oil the 5 ate the people conn plain Of the bur-
dens of taxation, federal state and local, and
while they are willing 10 he taxed for all
necessary and legitimate purposes, they have
such confidence II your wisdom and discre
tion, and in your knowledge OF their present
great necessities as to make them feel secure
In the belief that you will avoid any legisla-
ton looking TO extravaganza or 10 the ad-
vancement Of private speculation. The people
of Iennessee never possessed so little ability
to bear the burdens of government as at
present. The very general failure in all The
Stap. Q prod uctiOns of The State, together with
the great industrial depression resulting from
the financial disorders OF the country, has re-
duced the condition of the people 10 such a
point as to require the exercise of economy
and watchfulness in every appropriation
made by their representatives.
THE STATE DEBT.
The attention OF the legislature IS called to
the necessity of making provisions for the in
terest on the state debt, and for the necessary
appropriation TO meet toe current expenses OF
the State government. 1t is too late to dis
cusS the wisdom of the policy under which
this debt was created, but how to preserve he
public credit without AN Increase OF the
public burdens, is the question of the greai est
concern TO taX-payeTs; the rate o, taxation
cannot be increased without infiicting ire
parable injury upon the people and while
tnls fact cannot be questioned 1t must be un-
derstood that the people of tennessee will
never repudiate the legitimate debt OF the
SIa'e. The question was airIy presented TO
them during the late canvass, and they pro-
nouuced against II. They know that 'rs-
pudiation does not pay debt; that IL does
not discharge the debtor; that 1t does not
mC0lfy a 06DJ so l0aL IL Is not always Dl0d1ng
in law as well as in MOI ais and that IL adds
sort OF disrepute to soknowi edge inability"
but while the mass of the people will not con-
sent to the infilctiOn or this 'stain which We
ought to feel verse than q wound, there IL an
imperative necessity for prompt reduction
in tue expenditures of the State government.
II this Is done, NJ doubt can exist OF the In
ability OF the State to meet promptly all Its
obligations.
ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL LAW.
The expense incident to the administration
OF the criminal aw IS the subject of 0 iticism
and CONF mplaiBt In all parts OF the State, and 1t
is believed that this large ex expenditure can be
greatly reduced by a MOD 1cation OF the
statute In relation 10 the crime of larceuy, so
as to make petit larceny q misdemeanOT.
There are now n tpe STATE penitentiary about
five hundred convicts, convicted of larceny,
chiefly OF the lower grade; the ottense of
many was for stealing su ms ranging fr m eight
cents TO nVe dollars, ent3iiii 9 directly on the
State in many cases an expense of over two
hundred dollars for the delivery Of the con-
vtct at the state prison. The reduction of the
grade of this crime would save many thou
sands of dollars TO the treasury; the punish
ment of those convinced OF II by confiue-
ment in the county jail or wOrkhJ JuSe would
be adequate, while the morals OF the convict
would be improvet by this change in the
manner of his punishment; and suggest for
your consideration the propIiety of impos-
ing by law, upon the seveIa al counties, where
ihe crime Is committed, the payment of the
cost no chargeable TO the State he adoption
of this policy would be great relief to the
treasu y, and would doubtless induce greater
watchfulneSs upon the part OF the citiZ-n
and arouse more active Interest in the sup
preston OF every character o. lRwleSsness,
FEES AND PERoUIsITEs.
Much complaint is made by the taxpayers
OF the state at the amount OF ICES aud perqui-
sites received by many office holders in Ten
Dessee. The compensation OF all public ser
wants should be reasonable, but no place should
have attached to 1t such an income Will
justify the employment OF corrupt means in
ob aiming Ii, ana recommend the passage If
general law limiting the incomes OF ali Off
clals 10 certain amount, and proVluing tLat
all ices in excess Of the prescribed linn IL shall
be paid into the public treasury.
TIE STATE PENITENTIARY.
The lease If this institution will expire the
first day of December, Is 8, and the duty de-
vo yes TO you of oetermining the disposition
to be made OF 1t. Tue present policy Is a very
Questionable one but ii 1t is to be released,
the manner and terms of the lease should be
definitely settled, and should be made In time
TO enable the le see to provide ths necessary
material and supplies or prosecuting he bus
inesS of the establishment. The penitentIary
building is wholly inadequate for the accom-
mediation OF the conVtcts now occupying 1t;
no proper system of discipline can be en-
forced, and no sufficient provision can be
made for the health or moral condition of the
prisoners. The onl2rgs ment OF the present
building is not desirable, because OF the loca-
ton, and recommend TO the consideration Of
the legislature the prophet OF selling the es-
taDltshment, and of erecting a new one at
some point on side of the city of Nashville;
but cur financial embarrassment will prevent
the construction of this much-n eded inn
provement now, unless sum sufficient can
be realized from the sale OF the buildings and
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The people OF Tennessee recognize the ne
cessIty of affording free education 10 all the
children of the state. The system now in op-
GRAFTON, is a wise one in many respects, and
ought 10 be made the subject of the most
friendly legislation; such legislation as will
"A a a ~
The general sentiment OF our people is favor
able 10 the cause OF popular education. Our
prosperity depends on the maintenance OF
the system iDaugurated two years ago, and il
any change is made, IL ought only TO affect
the details in such manner as will afford in
creased educational facilities. l herewith
transmit memorial from the Tennessee
StaJe teachers association, on the subject Of
the public school system of Tennessee; the
10 the highest respect, and will, 1
doubt not, secure the consideration they so
eminenly deserve. l also transmit comuu-
nicajion received from the distinguished DR..
b. Sears, general agent OF the Peabody educa-
tIonal fuud, ON the subject OF the establi h.
ment of q State normal school. The offer
made by him l. q munihceut one, and re-
commend that II be secured by the RpprOpri-
alton OF the required amount Of money: If
nc ecessary, the sum can be appropriated from
the school fund, without increasing the puo-
tic burdens. Wlth the establishment OF this
school, good teachers, now our great necessi-
ty, will be secured, and the success of popular
educatlon in Tennessee assured.
OUR MINERAL RESOURCES.
The Importance OF a thorough geological
SUI vey of the State IL a matter OF great inter
est to our people, many OF Wnom are already
apprised OF the fact that within the bOunda-
ries of Tennessee there are more extensive
de. osits OF iron ore in juxtapostion with
stone coal and limestone Inan IA any state in
the Union, and that iron OF every description
can be produced at less cost IN Tennessee
than in any other part OF the world, and yet
for want OF a proper survey OF the state, IL is
Impossible % make an intelligent and reliable
exhibit of our Incompatible resources. The
work heretofore done in this direction, In
consequence OF the insutficieucy OF the ap-
prCpTiAtions, was incomplete and unSatlsfac-
tory; but II IS believed that thorough sur
yey would tuse the surplus capital OF our
own citizens, now invested in stocks and
bonds, TO be employed in manufactures at
home; ard wht never We can demonstrate to
iron manufacturers OF other States that the
Gdysn ages oneret by Tennessee are superior
to those now enjoyed by then, no dihdcuity
Witl be found In attracting their capital and
machinery. Irecommend that the Legislature
take such steps as may be necessary 70 asoers
tain the probable cost of a thorough survey
OF the state, and II the work Is authorized Il
would be well 10 direct the geologist 70 collect
apartrnenE of ALI the minerals the