The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-04-10

4
ton, not from soreheads and partisans of
the opposition from whom nothing else
would be expected and whose gable we
, would permit to pass as the idle wind,
but from good Democrats who would
prefer to throw the mantle of charity
over the shortcomings of friends, and
would dwell upon them more in sorrow
than in anger.
As to the school law, while its merits
stand out conspicuously, the circular Of
the Superintendent of Public Education
and the opinion of the Attorney Gener-
al expounding and 9econciling its appa-
rent or real contradictions, are conclu
sive as to its imperfecti9ns; and as to the
revenue law, about which the loudest
complaints are heard, the circular of the
Auditor Of Public Accounts directing
county officers in reference to their du-
ties in executing it, is labored and in
genous effort to adjust and smooth away,
as best he could, jIrring and discordant
ltdiuICo- lC lCSoOii " DC lawn lIOiH
these facts, is clear. 1t is a warning
against passing laws in haste without
properly understanding them, under
'whip and spur" at the close of the ses
sion when members have become impa-
tient to return to their homes. 1t is also
warning against the delay of impor-
tant measures in committee, until the
time Of the Legislature is we'll nigh ex-
hausted The revenue bill was not re-
ported to the House until the last days of
the session. The members had no OPP
portunity to examine it within the time
prescribed for themselves for adjourn
ment Copies Of the bill were not laid
on their desks and carried to their rooms
20 be carefully studied; and they
who did not digests its contents
from the hasty reading of the clerk
from his desk, remained in bliss
full ignorance of its meaning, and
voted blindly. There was danger from
this mode of proceeding, first, that they
would pass measure regulating the ifs
cal machinery of the State, which they
did not understand, and that In attemp-
ting to amend the work of the commit
tees they would join together clauses in
compatible with each other, and fabricate
deformity instead of beautiful, we'll
adjusted law, plain enough for the way
faring man, though a fool, to compre-
bend. This strong remark is not in
tended as a description of the revenue
law as it finally passed; but to point out
the perils of the reprehensible system of
legislation upon which we are comment
ing, against which we cannot too
earnestly warn our party in the
future. Let bills be reported ear
ly enough in the session to be carefully
considered; and acted upon with due
deliberation and understanding of their
meaning. And this suggests the further
remark that men who cannot make up
their minds to remain in session long
enough to do the work Of the Legislature,
understandingly and well, even if it takes
all summer, will do themselves and the
public injustice by accepting nomina
tons
SO far as the revenue law is concerned
there is much to be said in its praise. 1t
is strictly on the line of reform to which
the Democratic party is pledged. 1t re-
duces taxes even below the standard of
its Democratic predecessor. The State
tax which at one time under Republican
rule was IA mills on the dollar, and the
tax unlimited, and which had
been reduced, the one to five mills and
the other to ten mills by the Legislature
of 1876, is still further reduced. The
State tax is now but 81 mills and save
in exceptional cases, the county and State
taxes together cannot exceed 121 mills, |
and yet under the economical system |
adopted by the Legislature the revenue
will be ample for the ordinary purposes
of the State government and for discharg |
its outstanding liabilities as they accrue.
In pointing out the defects of the Revenue
law, this fact is entitled to prominence,
for it is a monument Of the wisdom, fidel-
ity and integrity of the Democratic party
and an irresistible argument in favor of
its ascendency and adhering to
he timehonored usages without which its
reign cannot be assured. If errors are
the party which has achieved
he deliverance of the State from misrule
md whose course has been straightfor-
ward upon the line of reform, can afford
o admit, and to correct, them.