The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1875-01-06

oarcanf5ra viii become more pi@in' Il
re consider the fact that, our present -, +.
sessments very greatly exceed the ih''-l>e'
values eft HE property assessed,
4 Tapz as the people become Pooio' 3
4their~tax-burthens Increased
In many cases the increase IN me Gun !.
! levies, in the same pefted, aas 1eei'
But this is not all. y careful estimate
shows that during those years OF lne q. -,
Iino and most extravagant tax ieVles, the
public debt was increased ON an average
annually over $664, 900, a sum OF tseli
sufficient to defray the entire expenses Oh
the Government economically administer
ed. That is. the State spent on an aver,
age this large sum each year, over anu
above the amount collected on thost' mn
strous tax levies What may be the e1-
cess for the wear 1874 is not reveaiea'
All that we know is, that many OF the
very large appropriations for the year
we're sometime since exhausted.
The like extraordinary results nave
followed the operations of the Boards OF
Supervisors, at least in many OF the cou',-
ties. Whether these facts prove lach
of economy in administration, or are TO be
REGARDED as sad proofs of the rapid eX-
haustion Of the means of the people, and
their consequent inability TO pay
they are painful to contemplate.
This excessive rate OF expenditure
would constrain even a prosperous people
TO crv aloud for retrenchment and reform.
1t is corrupting in effect, and altogether
evil inits results. Butifnone ofthese things
existed we should be constrained by still
other facts, to make this appeal to your
honorable body. The present year has
been most disastrous to all engaged IN ag-
riculture, and consequently to all other
pursuits. II all the crops raised IN the
State this year were sold at present
market value, the proceeds OF the sales
thereof would not, rs many estimate, pay
the cost Of production and the taxes. In
many counties the result was still more
disastrous, the crops being an almost total
failure. 1t is a sad truth that III some
parts of the State many of our people are
beginning to suffer for want of food, and
very many more are restricted III their
poverty to very few ofthe necessarles OF
life. These affections fall heaviest at
present on the very large class of our poor
citizens; but all classes suffer more or less
from this common calamity, and the year
of their probation of want and suffering Is
but just begun.
Presented in these several views of the
sad condition of the people of Mississippi,
our present appeal amounts to this, shall
the few officials, the mere servants of the
people, be permitted to fatten and grow
richer, whilst the people grow poorer and
starve? Shall these public servants be
privileged to enjoy an eXtravagant waste
Of the money of the people to the de-
struction of the property Of the State, or
will the Legislature interpose immedi-
ately, and by a vigorous system of wise
reform enforce rigid economy of expendi-
-ure in all departments Of the govern
nent, legislative, executive and judicial.
and in counties, cities, towns and dis
riots Let all superfuities be abolish
ed. Let every supernumery be dis
;harged. Let every dollar as far as pos
ibIe be saved to the suffering people.
Cor. the present, and until the State has I
become rich ard prosperous, let all sala
les and public expenditures be graded +
lot according to the merits and capaci
les of officials, but be reduced and
,raded to the lowest possible scale com
'atlble with the efficiency of most
igld economy Of administration suited 70
he extreme poverty of the people.
Throughout the whole State the outcrv
gainst this oppression of excessive taxa
on and still greater waste of expendi-
lre becomes. louder and deeper every
ay, and it comes increasing in volume
nd significant emphasis of tone and ex-
ression from citizens of all classes and Il
onditions. All fear the approaching
lin, and all suffer from this common on,
ressslon-the difference being only IN
egree. ,
With regard to possibilities for ro-
enchment and reform, we quote and ,
,mmend to the careful consideration of Z
the official opinion of Gov. Ames ~ t
flows; There are opportunities for
lrtallment in every branch of the GOV. I
nment. Message on Finance. Session t
page g. 9''7'0n
We ask the earnest attention Of vour i
'norable body to the following mar /
'ulars in which by proper legislation a
ny large sums may be saved.
The PUBLIC PRINIING. bv the c,ross r
IS OF its excuses, amounts to public n
obery; We submit that such is the a