Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-02-13


The recommendations therein made
are entitled to the highest respect, and |
will, doubt not, secure that consid- |
Grafton they so eminently deserve.
| also transmit Communication re-
ccived from the distinguished DIR. B. !
Sears, General Agent of the Peabody |
Educational Fund, on the subject of |
the establishment of State Normal |
School. The offer made by him is a
munlficent one, and | recommend that |
it be secured by the appropriation of
the required amount of money; if |
necessary, the sum can be appropriated |
from the school fund, without increas-
ing the public burdens. With the es-
adjustment of this school. good teach-
ers, now our great necessity, will be |
secured, and the success of popular |
education in Tennessee assured.
OUR MINERAL RESOURCES.
The Importance of a thorough geol-
ogical survey of the State is a matter
of great interest to our people, many |
of whom are already apprised of the
fact that within the boundaries of Ten
nessee, there are more extensive de-
posts of iron ore in position with
stone-coal and limestone, that in 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,
it is impossible to make an intelligent
and reliable exhibit of our incompar-
able resources. The work heretofore
done in this direction, in consequence
of the insufficiency of the appropria-
tons, was incomplete and unfatisfac-
tory; but it is believed that thorough
survey would cause the surplus capital
of our own citizens, now invested IN
stocks and bonds, to be employed In
manufactures at home; and whenever
we can demonstrate to iron manufac-
turers of other States, that the advan-
tages offered by Tennessee are supe-
rior to those now enjoyed by them, no
difficulty will be found in attracting
their capital and machinery. |
recommend that the Legislature take
such steps as may be necessary to as
certain the probable cost ola thorough
survey of the State, and if the work is
authorized, it would be well to direct
the Geologist'to collect specimens of
all the minerals of the State and to
deposit them, suitably labelled, in the
capitol. Ft
APPROPRIATIONS. ~
The Comptroller, in his report to my
predecessor, calls attention to the re-
auirements of the Constitution, that
money shall only be drawn from the
Treasury in consequence of appropria-
tions made by law: Constellation, Art
2, Sec. "a and also to the requirement
in the Code, that the Comptroller shall,
at stated times, report "the unexpend-
ed balances of the several appropria-
TONS" Notwithstanding this proyis-
ion in the Constitution, with legisla-
tive construction clearly indicated in
the Code, it is believed that specific
appropriations are the exception, and
that for many years the public moneys
have been expended without the au-
thority contemplated by the Constitu-
ton. If that instrument is obeyed
and estimate required from the execu-
tive offices, the Legislature is enabled
to see what amounts may be necessary,
and can place check upon expendi-
lures by prescribing q limit beyond
which they shall not go. The mere
fact that an appropriation is to be
made requires investigation of the
amount necessary to be set apart for
the purpose, and promote inquiry into
| former as we'll as present expenditures,
while the sytem now practiced does
nothing to insure faithful perform
ance of this important duty Under
the present system the Comptroller
complains of the extent of the discre
ton practically left to him. He is to
examine and adjust all accounts and
claims against the State which are by
law to be paid out of the Treasury:
Code, 207, 8 s. l. With proper sys-
TEN it is believed that nothing could
be the subject of warrant but such
| as had been included in some appro-
priation made by law.
SOURCES OF REVENUE.
New sources of revenue cannot be
created, nor can established ones be
made more productive by legislation,
but the burdens of taxation can be
equalized, and every species of proper
ty made to contribute. 1t is belieye6
| that there are many corporations ia
Tennessee, including the railways, sub
iect to taxation that aid 10 nothing to
/ IL nF hn
while | recognize the fact that there is
no real antagonism between these cor
porations and the general public, such
legislation should be adopted as will
cause them to bear a reasonable share
of the public burdens.
| BUREAU OF AGRICULTURE.
recommend the amendment of the
act creating this Bureau so az to re-
quire of the Secretary the collection,
classification and publication of full
statistical report of the material in
terests of the State, with special ref
erence to transportation, manufactures
and trade. Such a report would be Of
material assistance in furnishing cor
rect data for future legislation on
questions relating to the assessment
and taKation of certain property, and
would furnish character of infOrma-
ton invaluable to persons looking to
our State as future home.
RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.
The Improvement of the Mississippi,
Tennessee and Cumberland rivers
should be urged upon the Federal
Congress, They all drain a vast ter
ritory, rich in everything that contri-
butes to the wealth of State, and if
their navigation was made more Felia-
BILE, new and great source of wealth
would be open to Tennessee and the
other States bordering these rivers,
and [ do not doubt but that a material
increase to the population of all these
| States, would promptly follow their
| improvement. The appropriations
heretofore made have been of consid-
cradle benefit, but what is POW wanted
is such IN appropriation as will eDaple
the officers In charge of the work to
prosecute it TO completion at an early
day.
IMMIGRATION.
This is question of great concern
TO the people of Tennessee, aud while
our State possesses unsurpassed at
fractions to the immigrant. ip climate,
fertility of soil, cheap lands With vast
mineral resources, We have failed to
! advertise thaSa aAvont,uac on1 Suh