Mexico weekly ledger., 1877-01-25
tories in every part of the State, adding to
its population. wealth and prosperity

tories in every part OF the State, adding to
its population, wealth and prosperity
TRANSPORTATION. ~.
The of this State is gradually
increasing, and each year adds to the facili-
ties of transportation, with diminished cost.
Some of the railroads Of the State, during
the financial crisis, have been compelled to
go into liquidation. New companies have
been organized TO manage them. a..
The volume Of commerce on the rivers in
and bordering on the State has greatly di-
minlshed, n yetthe Of the State,
on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, is
of immense value H
Transportation by water is cheaper than
by railroad, and until freights shall be car
ried as cheap by railroad as by water, the
great bulk of our agricultural products may
be carried to market on the water routes.
We require cheaper transportation, and
demand the railroads in this State shall not
discriminate in their freights against the
interests of our people. This demand is
reasonable and shOuld be granted.
-. NEW CONSTITUTION.
Since the adjournment of the last Legisla-
ture the people of the State have adopted a
new Constitution. Many restrictions on
the power of the Legislature have been in
corporated in it, and safeguards adopted to
insure pure and wise legislation.
Whilst those safeguards may render the
enactment of laws more tedious and tardy,
| Q IL IoSGSho LII ASSRohoAD1'Sy ScSh
tion Upon all the members OF the Legisla-
ture instead of a few-all now have the OPP
portunity to know, with no great effort of
their own, the contents OF all bills ABOUT to
be signed by the presiding officers OF the
two Houses. and to observe whether, in
their enactment, every requirement Oh the
Constitution has been obeyed.
1t is better to proceed cautiously, and be
right, than proceed rapidly, and perhaps be
wrong.
We are called upon to adapt the laws of
the State to the requirements of the new
Constitution. Many of the laws require
modification, that they may be conformable
to it. Many reforms have been introduced
in that Constitution, and legislation is re-
quired to give them effect.
The people of this State have sensibly felt
the inconvenience and misfortune of a pub
lie debt. To prevent its increase or a recur-
renee of that evil, no debt of magnitude can
be created by the State, or by any munich
pality, unless with the consent of twO-thirds
of the voters, at an election to be held for
that purpose.
And in addition thereto provision must be
made for the leVying OF a tax for the pay
ment of the principal within a given time.
Had such provisions been contained in our
former Constitutions, much OF the indebt-
edneSS with which the State and the coun-
ties are now burdened would not have been
incurred, and whilst we look to this Con-
stitution as the embodiment of many re-
forms, let us be careful that in future we
shall introduce reform where reforms may
be demanded, bearing in mind, however,
that all amendments OF laws are not re-
FORMS.
The people of this State have fixed the
maximum of taxation for its ordinary eX-
penses. In the execution OF the laws for
the assessment of property, much property
is assessed too low, and no inconsiderable
amount escapes taxation altogether. And
this disposition to evade taxation is more
strongly exhibited in times Of financial dis
tress and embarrassment.
RETRENCHMENT.
l. Whether the ordinary expenses OF the
State can be betrayed with the means OBJ
tanned by the presnt rate Of taxation, is a
problem now about to be solved.
We must economic; we must reduce the
expenditures of our Government. 1t may
be difficult to do so, bat it must be done.
We must bear in mind that the eXactlon
Of more taxes than is necessary for the
economical administration of our Govern
ment plumbers the people.
Taxation is ch~eerfully borne when the
public eXigency demands it. We should en-
deavor to place taxation at its lowest limit
A vast erea Of our State is uncultivated
Much OF our mineral wealth is not devel.
oped. We invite population. And ii &c
all our sources OF wealth and prosperity E
can, with truth, say the taxes OF the mu.
nicipal and State Governments are low, we
offer strong inducements for the enterprlS.
ing, industrious and Intelligent people tC
make their abode with us. And if the laws
we may continue on our statute book, ant
those which we hereafter enact, shall con-
tain wholesome, beneticent and wise pro-
visions, and if our laws shall be faithfully
executed and impartially administered,
with light taxation and economy practlceC
in every branch Of the public service, we
may expect to see the wealth and popula'
ton OF our State rapidly increase.
s Tho ryarll &c nnNnrnnd fn0 f1JIah - !
All old and trite saying, and yet true. But
few laws are really necessary for the gov.
eminent and good order OF a community
The frequent change and alteration Of Jaws
create confusion and perplexity, and Shout
therefore, if possible, be avoided. But the
the statute book of a law whose provision:
are unwise, and which operate in a harsh
and oppressive manner. II any such there
be, let the remedy be administered
The peace and good order OF q
ty depends in a great degree on the faithful
aud impartial execution Of the laws. We
have not yet reached the millennium. HUI
man nature is the same as it has been fol
the last 6 900 years. Crime will be perpe'
trated, and criminals,must be punished. The
certainty, and not the severity, of punish
ment deters the commission of crime.
EQUAL RIGHTS.
The laws we enact are for the benefit o
all, and to operate alike on the high ant
= the low, the rich and poor. So in the exc
, cution of the laws no distinction should b
made. Within a few years past, freedom
the right of suffrage, eligibility to office
+ and in short the same civil rights the whit
. man enjoys have been conferred on the col
z ored man.
No one seeks to deprive the colored MAJ
of the rights he enjoys, and if the attemp
. should be made it would be futile. Equali
: ty Of civil and political rights will continu
: as long as the Government shall endure
= The laws are as much for the benefit an
protection of the one as for the other, an
. must be executed and enforced on all alike
| promise, as the Chief Executive of TIL
State, to execute the laws faithfully an
impartially, regardless of all consideration
It except what right and justice demand.
r REVISION OF LAWS.
5 To comply with the requirements Of tn
I Constitution a IT vision of the law of q ger
eral and a public nature must be made b
e this or by the next Legislature.
recommend provision be made for til
appointment of "A committee or a commi