Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1877-08-17
ADDRESS
OF THE
DEMOCRATIC STATE ExECU-
TIVE COMMITTEE.


The undersigned we're selected oy |
the Democratic State Convention TO |
serve as the State Executive Commit
tee Of the Democratic party, and II is
their duty, as well as pleasure, to con-
graiulate the friends of reform upon the
auspicious result OF their deliberations,
and to address them IN reference 10 the
political campaign upon which they are
entering. The Convention was num-
erously attended. II was fresh from
the people and thoroughly representa-
tive. It's members were animated BY
q singleness of purpose TO advance the
welfare OF the State, and in good faith
to carry out the reforms which bad
been Instituted under Democratic Ad.
ministrAtion, pursuant to the popular
decree proclaimed In the elections Of
1875 and '76. Its proceedings were
characterized by harmony throughout.
After a canvass, in which there was
less OF personal rancor displayed than
usual In such contests, selections were
made Of candidates from numerous
lists Of aspirants for the various State
offices, thoroughly imbued with the
spirit OF reform, and combining the
highest requisites for the discharge Of
the responsible trusts for which they
have been designated.
The Platform adopted by the Con-
vention, is expressive Of the aims Of
our party, and presents creed waseh
will defy criticism and excite the ad-
miration Of the advocates of constitu-
tional liberty.
The friends Uf reform who In 1875
enlisted in the crusade against incom-
potency and corruption in the State
administration, have abundant cause
for Thanksgiving and congratulstiOn.
Thus far their labors have been reward
ed with signal success In the redemp-
tion Of the promises they have made.
They have introduced economy and
honesty 10 all the departments of the
Stale Government. Capacity has taken
the place of incompetency sud the
standard OF public service las been
lifted high above and heyoud the cor
rupting influences BY which it had been
surrounded.
Taxes have teen reduced one-half
in the State and county administra-
tious, and there has been correspond
ing reduction in expenditures, while at
the same time the efficiency Of every
branch OF the public service has been
improved. The State tax, inc,udiL g
teachers fund in 1874, was u mills on
the dollar. In 1875 It was ga mile,
In 1876, the first year Of Democratic
rule, il was G',, AMI iu 1877, 1t is ]
mills. In his annual report OF January
lei, 1874, the Auditor of Pabic Ac.
counts thus des ilbed the condition OF
The State fnaI ;es under Republican
administration, which was then in the
full tide Of operation;
Upon the perusal Q! the reports oc THIS
Office for the past three yv..s and the one
now before yo--it will be seen that in no
single instance have the receipts proper
reached the expenditures In any year; but
a, fora.y, and debt Of considerable mag.
nitude has been SccGmula;ing year aneI
year, et:.
Contrast this picture with the follow
In. tXA!5i; q: he dnaacial condition
OF The State, on the lsto January, 1877
me year ale. the commencement oI
Democratic rule. We quote from The
Auditors repor: Of that date:
A reference - ;ue tables OF documents
"A" and "B," will show that while the re
ceipts for the past year are much less thar
Tor the year previous, the disbursement,
have been cjgTeSpondingly less. Taxes
have been materially reduced, and re
ceipis have fallen below the year previ
GUS; but notwithstanding this, there is /
large excess in receipts over disours e
men!s.
The statement shows tine financial eOndi
tiOn OF the state 70 be very fattering Il
: the wisdom displayed by your honorable
, body tthe Democratic legislature at tn,
last session. The bonds and war
rants oi the state are at par, with curren
cy in the Treasury 20 meet all present de
} mands, our State mas entered upon q ca
!, reer OF prosperity well calculated TO chez
) the hearts of the despOndent, encOuTag
the hopes Of the patriotic, and give fresl
impetus TO all her material interests.
The following exhibit, furnished b,
the Auditor Of Public Accounts, vii
. show the progress that has been mad
in retrenching the expenditures Of tn
d State Government:
q ls7A
2 Total disbursements ..,.......N, N,jle,2sl i
From which Geiut: interest on
Q STATE bonds ...''...,..-..,.. 22S,4l2 &
+. Expenditures Coz ordinary pG!.
/. poses. ....,..,,...,., ,t!1V5V,oo5 =
n 1875.
:, Total disbursements 80. Isl ,BJO,lS2
y Deduct interest on Scnool
i Funds, etc. I'D. ....,.,.... BO,3lO
Expenditures tor ordinary puT.
poses. ...........'.',,',..S .Sl,Vos, ooz
e 1876. democratic Rule.l
Expenditures for ordinary par.
!. pOses Of State Government. {s6A,56G
1t was In view Of the check upon ex
a travagance Aad the sAlutatory reform
}. which had been inRugurated, that th
}. head of the Financial Department q
Z our State Government presented III
= cheering report embodied in the eI
). tracts above quoted.
In other respects, there 10 aOundaT
. reason for rejoicing in the establish
- ment Of Democratic ascendency In ou
d State Government. Obedience to laV
!, is the rule, and crime the exception
Il There .sno rebellion against cOnstiiu
n ted authority, CapItal and labor eAc