The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-02-08
Especial Correspondence of the N. .. Democrat.
OUR MISSISSIPPI LETTER.
JACKSON, MISS, Feb. s, 1876

JACKSON, MISS, Feb. 5, 1876.
Contrary to expectation, none or the
investigating committees reported this
week. It is understood, however, that
the Davis and Cardoza committees are
ready to report, and they will no doubt
some day next week present articles OF
impeachment against Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor Davis and Superintendent OF Ed
ucation Cardoza. The Ames committee,
l am informed by one Of its members,
expected to close it's Investigations yes
terday, but some new witnesses came to
the surface, and it is not yet through
taking testimony. The investigation
has been delayed by the refusal of the
Western Union Telegraph Company to
furnish certain kilograms, and this difil-
Guilty has not yet been overcome. 1t is
not probable that the Ames committee
will report soon. The report telegraph
ed by some special correspondent, and
extensively copied, that the committee
would report adversely to impeachment.
was merely the correspondence indi-
vidual opinion-and the wish was prob
ably father to the thought, and not
based on any good information. On the
contrary, the general impression Is that
the committee will prefer articles Of i'm
parchment.
Work has progressed slowly during
the week; scarcely anything of general
| importance has been accomplished.
There seems to be an unsettled feeling,a an
awaiting for important events, among
the legislators, and the paramount OBJ
jects to be accomplished (outside of inn
parchment matters) have barely been
touched. Finances and taxation, the
revenue laws, public schools, the judi
ciary, have yet to come up, and the
Legislature seems little disposed to
re tackle" them until their minds are
clear Of the greater question trial
and removal of the weak, vascillating
| and corrupt chief executive and his lieu
tenant. The financial problem will be
the hardest to solve. The present Legis-
lature came here with promises to re-
duce taxation, yet it finds it easier to
promise than to fulfill. It finds bond
ed debt of nearly half million dollars
maturing on the first Of January next,
and no matter how much it may reduce
current expenses, 1t cannot meet them
and the bonds, and at the same
time reduce the rate Of taxation.
To make matters worse, the
assessed value of personally and
realty in the State was more than forty
million dollars less in 1876 than in 1874.
In this state of affairs, taxes must really
be increased instead of diminished. The
debt is not of Democratic creation.
Radical extravaganza caused it. During
Democratic administration, from 1866 to
1870, the annual average expendi-
lures were $53O,7S2 A. Under Radical
administration, from 1870 to 1875, the
annual average expenditures were
81, ,431 ,4O7 IS. Yet all the same, the
debt must be paid, To meet the ext
gency, to tighten the tax burden, Sena-
tor Chalmers has introduced resolu-
ton providing for the refunding Of these
maturing bonds, but as the amount is
not large, it is doubtful If his scheme
will carry. He proposes to refund the
bonds maturing next year, and make
them payable in ten yearly installments,
with eight per cent interest. The reso-
luton met with violent opposition, and
was referred to the Finance COMMITTEES
whore it will probably come forth in the
shape of bill.
A committee is investigating charges
against Senator H. b. Mcclure, Repub
lican, of the Amite district, and it il
believed he will be expelled The
charges are that while q collector ol
internal revenue he accepted q bribe
and that he abstracted from the courts
evidence which would have convicted
him. Should he be removed the Senate
will stand twenty-six Democrats and ter
Republicans. -,
A resolution to submit to the people
an amendment to the constitution abol
ishing the office of Lieutenant Governor
has passed two readings in the Senate
by an almost unanimous vote-twO ne
groes voting against it.
The Educational Committee has beer
some time engaged preparing genera
educational bill. The Legislature il
largely in favor of liberal educationa
advantages, and will doubtless greatly
improve the system in this State.
The committees appointed to reds
trict the State into congressional, judi
cial and legislative districts have no
yet reported. The congressional dis
tricts will be arranged pretty mucl
as they were before the Republican,
changed them; the circuit and chancery
districts will be the same in nl1mbel
and the same territory. OLIVER.
Change Of Base.
| Tho Wo chin c,top oorroe,opJopt ~ III.