The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-12-29
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

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.
of any in the State, and should be COM
posed of the very best men in the several
counties. As a general rule, we are
sorry to say, the members of this Board
are wholly unfit to discharge their duties,
and are without respectability oraccount-
ability. This, however, is not the fault
of the Legislature of the State except in
so far as il encourages such men to seek
for that position. The county levies, in
large majority of the countes, are ex-
travagant and oppressive beyond all en-
durance. The contracts for public work
are made without economy or care, and
with a reckless indifference 10 the interests
of the public These Boards, in some
, instances, employ their own members to
do the work not authorized by law,
merely for the purpose of making then
extravagant allowances. In many in
stances these members are wholly igno-
: rant, and are completely under the con-
troll of the clerks and Sherifs of these
: counties, to whom they make extrava-
|, CANT allowances. This is a great evil,
E and we suggest that remedy which alone
d seems adequate. Legislation should be
Immediately enacted, fixing the maxi
mum rate of taxation at 80 per cent. on
; the State beyond which they shall not
go in any instance.
e These Boards should also be prohibit
from making any contracts, or allowances,
+ or appropriations, except when there is
e money in the treasury to pay them. And
5 every such order or warrant so made and
ordered, when there is not money in the
e treasury sufficient to pay it, should be
e declared utterly null and void, and all
5 persons concurring in making or issuing
i them Oe declared guilty Of misdemeanol
IS in Office and punishable for such, as pro
i vided by law.
i There is another fruitful source of pecu
lation and wrong in the power assumed
by the Board to allow fer stationery, fuel
etc, to the county officers. Under thi
3 head large and unnecessary sums ar,
a allowed for ink, paper, envelopes, seal
N ing-wax, gold pens, pencils and printes
IN blanks. The actual cost Of these thing,
sr is very little, and the actual wants Of tn
" officers very small as compared with tn,
le amounts furnished. Il IS the habits o
le these Officers to furnish their friends ant
IF favorites with stationery at the public
Is expense. The remedy for this Is TO returr
r. to the old rule by which each officer wa
}; required to furnish his own stationery
lie wood, lights, c.,-at his expense, excep
le alone where bound volumes of recorl
d books were required.
& There remains another remedy to whiel
ID we earnestly, but respectfully, call tn
g attention Of the Legislature. 1t is conf
5, IDENTIFY believed that either Of the followin
N would tend greatly to the character an
T. responsibility Of the Boards Of Supervi
e sors. To repeal all laws allowing tn
X members thereof any compensation 70
r their services. The services required Of
p competent and faithful Board would nc
exceed ten days annually, and th
m work would be done within that time,
IL there were no Inducements in the ehaE
q Of q per diem to pFol0ng It's sessions. III
~ service would not be more buFdensou