The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-01-05

How TAR This effort has resulted in the vir-
tual disfranchisemento of the one race anu
revolutionized the State government, Is
question worthy the most patient ana care
ful inquiry.
Unless every class of citizens be thorough
IL protected in the exercise OF all their
rights and privileges. our government
proves unequal to its pretentlOns. Inc ma
tons, recognizing race antagonisms,has an
ticipated them in the interests OF liberty ana
equality by notifications of the fundament-
al law of the land, and recommend, as both
right and pedieut, action in harmony with
such notifications.
THE STATE FINANCES.
The condition of the States finances is
favorable.
The real debt of the State, that is, its out
standing obligations beyond its ability TO
pay at once. with its current and available
funds (the taxes received for 1870, amounts
to about $500,000.
The Common and Chickasaw School
fluids, debts upon which the interest only
is TO be paid, the principal never becoming
duel obligations incurred many years since),
amount TO 81, 530.620.
The expenses of the State government.
during the past year, amount to $6lS.2j9 Is
The amount paid to the two Universities
of the State, to normal schools, and Interest
on Chickasaw School Fund. was $l36,S9 ~ .
The Mississippi State bonds paid amounted
to $250,O0O.
Interest on bonds, S37, 1854.
Extra improvements, State buildings.
$56,Ol7 A.
The progress made during the past three
years, in reducing the expense of the State
government, is found in the comparison OF
such expenses. to-wie:
The expenses in 1873 were. -S953030 -
;, 1874 1874 !, S s9SSSo - -
The successful administration of State
finances will be seen in the comparison OF
receipts and disbursements during the past
five years:
Disbursements over receipts for 1871,
$390,S95 sc.
Disbursements over receipts, for 1873,
$674.l2S 80.
While, on the other hand, the
Receipts over disbursements were, Tor
1875, $49.ll4 II.
Receipts over disbursements were, for
1875 Chased on moderate estimate Of taxes
already received and due, over, $4,000
The amendment OF the Constitution,
adopted at the last election, authorizes the
reduction of tie expenses OF the judiciary
to an extent which heretofore has been i'm
practicable.
The State Indebtedness of half million
can easily be discharged In two or three
years. when the CON paratively light tax for
the support of the State government of to-
inhabitant, can be reduced to less than one
dollar
/ recommend a return to the financial
system ofIS74, when taxes were paid only
in the currency of the United States. The
receipts were in excess of the expenditures,
and had tax collectors been required to col
lect and pay into the treasury the taxes at
an earlier day, the one defect of the system
would have been remedied. Under existing
law, State paper, by the manipulationS OF
the SPECTATOR, tluctuates through range
two or three times greater than it ought.
Should it be known that at the end OF the
year State warrants were to be cashed. they
could not fall below a margin which would
yield liberal interest. The changes recon-
mended will accom- blish this end.
For complete and detailed statement OF
receipts, disbursements and indebtedness
your attention is called to the official reports
of the State Treasurer, and the Auditor OF
Public Accounts.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
The following amendments to the Consti-
stitution of the State were adopted at
the general State election, which took
place on the second of November last.
That, in relation TO the Union and Planters
bank bonds, which adds TO section five of
article twelve of the Constitution the follow
ing words, to-wit:
Nor shall the State assume, redeem, Sc
cure, or pay any Indebtedness. or pretended
Indebtedness, claimed to be due by the state
OF Mississippi 70 any person, association or
corporation whatsoever. claiming the same
as owners. holders, or as signeTs ofaLy bond
or bonds, now generally known as Union
bank bonds. or Planters bank bonds"
That in relation to the school fund, which
amends section six, article eight of the
Constitution as follows, viz:
"All proceeds of lands now, or hereafter
vested in this State by escheat or purchase,
for forfeiture, for taxes, and the clear pro-
ceeds OF all fines collected in the several
counties tor any breach of the penal laws
and all moneys received for licenses granted
under the laws of the State tor the sale OF
Intoxicating liquor. or Keeping of dram
shops, shall be collected in legal currency Of
the United States, and TO be paid into the
treasury, to be distributed, pro rata, among
the educable children OF the Stale. in the
manner to he provided for by law"
That authorizing ii reduction of the num-
Der of ChaHceliOrs, substituting for the sew
enteentl section of The sixth article of the
Constitution, the following, viz:
The Legislature shall divide The State into
a convenient number OF CEaucery Districts.
Chance lOrs shall he appointed in the same
manner as the Judges of the Circuit Courts.
Their qualifications shall be regulated By
law, and they shall hold their office for the
ERIN of four years. They shall hold a cOCr
in each county at least twice in each year,
ana shall receive such com pensaIion as may
BE- provided bv law.
Economy demands that the number of
Chareellors should be reduced To the mini
mum com patible with the efficient discharge
OF the duties of the office.
RAILROADS,
The educational funds of the State, which
a former Legislature granted to railroads.
has been under litigation during the past
year, Time but confirms the views enter
tanned by me year ago, and which l now
reiterare:
| recommend the repeal of So much of an
Act entitled San Actt aid in the coustruc-
ton of the Vicksburg and Nashville Rail-
road" approved April Is, 1873, as surren-
iers TO the Vicksburg and Nashville Rail- |
road Compan under certain conditions, |
rust funds known as the three per cent. |
and the agricultural land scrip, which |
am unit to some S320, 900.
| also recommend the repeal of so much |
IF an Act entitled Gan Act to amend the |
several Acts now in force concerning the |
Grenada, Houston and Eastern Railroad |
Company, land for other purposes" approved |
January IL, 1873, as exempts said railroad |
and its acquisitions from taxation.
The agricultural land scrip fund was
'ecently bestowed by the United States, To
perpetual fund-the capital of
which shall remain forever undiminished-
md the interest of which shall be inviolablv
appropriated by each State, which may take
md claim the benefit of this Act, to the en-
owment, support and maintenance of at
east one agricultural college.
The State was authorized, at the same
inc, to invest this fund in Stock of the
]. ,. or Of the States, or some other Stocks"
las the State done so?
The railroad company TO which this fund
J proposed to be surrendered, has not COM
leted single mile of road. As projected,
will when completed, extend some $50
lilies in this state, and about $50 miles in
ne State of Tennessee, making Il total of
ONE 400 miles. The section now being
'orked on is between Okolona, on the Mo-
lie q Ohio railroad, and Grenada, on the
Mississippi Central, tnow the New Orleans,
Z. Louis and Chioagol railroad, distance :
some % miles. 1t is asserted that some
"ehty miles are now ready for the from
Judging by its progress to the present ]