Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-01-04
anYERNoR pORrRR,s MESSAGE.

GOVERNOR PORTRR'S MESSAGE.
This voluminous document was sub
mitted to the Legislature yesterday,
Owing to its length. we will give a liberia
synopsis of the more important portions
reserving comment, if deemed necessary.
for future occasions.
The State debt first receives attention
1t will be reduced to S22 756,375 when
solvent railroads pay their Indebtedness
to the State. The outstanding railroad
accounts amount to $l29, $50 81; there
ia in the treasury Sl39.S3l.l9 in
cash. with taxes due and collectable
amounting to 81, 57o,659.50. The shrink
age in values in two years has reduced
the assessment roll $40. 425 1886, causing
a reduction of State revenue OF 49,
7Q3 "a per annum. The taxable proper
ty of the State is nov 1858, 0O2 49,.
This is something over four millions less
than it was in 1872; nearly sixteen
millions more than it was in 1870; forty
Eve millions more than it was in 1869,
aud 40 on. The unpaid balances Of IT,
terest due July !, 1874, and January !,
1875, amounting to 100000, remain
ed over until September, 1876,
when they we're paid, together with
the coupons Of Registered bonds,
due July !, 1875, that have been
presented. The amount SO paid is not
stated. The present rate Of taxation will
not pay current expenses with the inter
est on the State debt, and the pe5ple
from want Of ability will not increase
. the rate. The creditors Of the State will
make sueh concessions IS will render
future payment easy and certain. a
communication from several b1ndhold-
ers, Who represent several millions Of
dollars OF the bonds, Is submitted in tbs
connection. The Governor recommends
the adoption Of the suggestion made by
the ~bondbolders Tor . conference with the
creditors.
The recommendation made two yesrs
ego for the passage Of 8 law requiring
each county to bear the cost Of its Grim
inal prosecutions is renewed. The State
has paid out for this purpose in two
years 1899, 5s5 63, and under the present
system there can be no material reduc-
ton. Tennessee is one out Of FIVE Of
thirty-eight States in the Union where
such charges are paid out Of the State
Treasury. II is further recommended
that the number Of courts be re-
duced. This State has ~tbirty-six, Ken.
lucky only twenty four. A large nun.
her Of courts can be abolished without
detrinent to the public service. The
cost OF litigation in the courts Of Ten
nessee are fifty per cent. greater than il
adjoining States. The Governor r@c'n
mends a reduction CT such costs and iht
passage Of a law limiting the incc1es o
all officers to a certain amount. all feel
IN excess to be paid into the public trea
sury.
The docket Of the Supreme Court j
~over.crovded, and cannot be cleared q
long as the courts below send up solumi
nous transcripts Of ell the facts and rec
ODDS, material and otherwise; appellant
should be required by law to assign rea
sous fjr their appeal by making a simpl
assignment Of errors; the adoption 0
this suggestion, and the re euaetmeni c
the statute annexiDg a penalty by way Q
damages to appeals from judgments 70
money, will discourage appeals that ar
not meritorious.
The Clerks Of the two Houses shout
he paid no more than the Oh compenss
ti0l
The sonual appropriation Of $1,000 t
Il e school for the blind aud for the des
and dumb ia no longer necessary.
The report Of tie Commissioner
Immigration 10 submitted, showing
considerable inaax Of immigration an
capital Recommended that the ofic
be abolished and its duties deyolged Q
tbe Commissioner Of Agriculture, ST.
tistics and Mines, without addition
pay.
Il is the duty Of the General AssembI
to make specific appropriations Tor Il
various purposes Of the State, and :
lieve the Comptroller Of the Treasury
the discretion now necessarily exercise
by him.
The Governor says: II reoommer
the repeal of the law authorizing a co
ventional rate of interest as high as Il
per cent the law has failed to meet
single promise of its friends, and its r
peal is very generally demanded by Il
people of the State" This SCENE to be
forecone conclusion without the Cover
or's recommendation.
he recommends the release Of Il
penitentiary, and that convict lab,
should not be employed outside of prise
walls, except in coal mines or on islant
where they cannot escape. No n%ecessiI
now exists for the Office Of inspectors
the penitentiary.
II is recommended hat the Office
Insurance Supervisor Of tie State |
created, as the Treasurer, who perform
the duties as such. has enough to DO
his own Office to oeeapy bis time. R,
erepesis made at some length to the i