The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-01-15

We furnish our readers to-day Cover
nor Browns Message and the Comptrol-
ler's Report No one should be persuad-
ed from reading these important docu-
meufs by their great length; it is lmpcssl-
bic to have a correct understanding OF
the condition of the State without read
ing them. Some persons may find it diff
cult to understand all the vast array of
figures presented by the Comptroller, but
every word of the Governors message
can be understood by the simplest mind.
He commences by congratulating the
people on the great reduction of their
public debt during the past five years,
and the restoration of the States credit.
He mentions the embarrassments under
which the State rests on account of the
financial panic. and recommends as
remedy, legislative retrenchment, and the
creation of new sources of revenue. He
points out wherein the assessment law is
defective, and suggests improvements in
it. This portion of his message concerns
every property holder, and should be
carefully considered by the Legislators.
Under the head of collection of taxes,
he asks that laws looking to this end be
unambiguous, plain and certain, so that
neither taxpayer nor collector can mis-
understand them. He recommends that
the office of Tax Collector be abolished
and that railroads be taxed, both of which
recommendations are being acted on fa-
vorably by the Legislature. He recon-
mends the taxing of the stock of all cor
porations; and taxing litigation before
Justices of the Peace He thinks the
ten per cent. law has oppressed the peo-
pie, and proved a curse instead of
blessing, and recommends its repeal.
D.. Boyd, our State Senator, acted upon
this suggestion very promptly, and his
bill looking to the repeal of the law was
the first bill introduced. We have hastily
glanced at few of the many practical
and sensible suggestions made by the
Governor, and regret we have not time to
review the message more at length. But
as we present it entire to our readers, we
crust they will all read it, for it is an able
! document, and reflects honor and credit
upon the heart and intellect of our noble
Governor. Gov. Brown is emphatically
practical statesman, in contradistinc-
ton to the windy defamation which
unfortunately distinguishes too many Of
our Southern politicians. He has made
us a wise and excellent Governor, in
every respect, and time will so demon
strate it even to those who are now fool
ishly preiudiced against him. We gladly
let our hating words of praise give way
to the following true and admirable
tribute to Gov. Brown by the Memphis
Appeal, in referring to his message
This document is replete with valuable
information, and will be carefully read By
every man in Tennessee who feels an in
terest in State affairs. The message /
will be seen, is nothing but plain, con
else statement OF facts. Not a super
huous word is used, and there is no at
tempt at display or the use of language t.
please the fancy Nor is there anything
OF a partisan character in the message
save his allusiOn to the usurpations il
Louisiana, which he denOunces in elC
qnent terms of indignation that will flint
? a favorable response in the hearts of Ten
nesseeans. We cannot too highly com
mend the tone and temper of this exec
lent paper, and the fine, common pract
cal sense which Governor Brown has ez
> hibited in preparing it. 1t marks Gov
prnOr Brown as a man of ability SCUM
judgement, practical sense and great dis
erection. The recommendations of sue
man are worthy of consideration, an
: we presume the Legislature will act upO
his suggestions. The knowledge whic
l Governor Brown possesses of State a
fairs; his practical experience, his wei
D known financial success, should cause hi
+ counsel to be sought for and his advic
TO be regarded. In publishing this tn
> last message, Governor Brown will eve
e deliver to the Legislature of Tennessee
/ | we take pleasure III expressing the OpiI
o ion that his two administrations hav
been characterized by paiOtism, state
: made a wise, safe and prudent GovernO
: He has faithfully Iabored to administe
q the law for the benefit OF all, for the goo
of the entire people of the State. Whe
/ four years ago, Governor Brown was fir!
l. elected, he expressed an earnest desiI
n to so administer the State Governmel
, as to encourage every branch of industr.
> favor manufactures, induce immigration
u develop the resources of the common
o wealth, restore kindly feelings among ii
n people, and see that they were all protec
: ed in the full enjoyment of their right
He has faithfully redeemed his promise
Is When Outlawry made its appearance,
was promptly on the ground, endeavorir
to bring the offenders to justice, al
when the rights of Tennessee were inva
e ed by the uSurpations of a usurping Pres
dent and his supple Attorney-Genera
} Governor Brown promptly, ably and ell
: quently rebuked the insult offered h
d State, and he had the qualification of Sc
ing his Interpretation of the law sustaine
. in Memphis by the decision of Judge Ba
l. lard, a Radical United States judy
r Governor Brown commenced his care,
J as a chief executive of the State after Sc
en- years of corrupt Radical rule. Il
= found State debt of over forty million
a of dollars, and everything in chaos an
r confusion. He commenced his labOrs u
Il der the most unfavorable circumstance
:. but almost insurmOuntable obstacles hay
u been overcome Through the eXertiOr
% he has constantly bestowed, almost S
d pernatural results have succeeded h
q labors Such man is deserving of Il
: confidence, gratitude and commemorate
u of the people of Tennessee. We do n
lie know whether Governor Brown, after tt
/ Inauguration Of Judge Porter, will reti
# to private life or whether he will be cleo
ed to a seat in the Senate of the Unite
States, but this we do know, that he ric
e ly deserves any honOrs which the peopl
z he has so faithfully served, can bestow.
l. UnAzzzzHzzzAz<zaHls
d Nashville Correspondence.