Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-01-09
eOvERroR roarERs xrsslaE.

objections to the document Just laid
before the general assembly by Cover
nor Porter, We find in it one fact of
congrstulation for the people Of Ten
nessee, viz: the current expenses of
the State for the past two years only
amount TO $544,0l4 per annum--the
cheapest administration we have had
since the war. We do not forget that
this reduced annual expenditure was
largely accomplished by the ten cents
current expense tax bill of 1877,
WHICH WAS VETOED BY THE Gov
ERNoR, so that we have cheap gov
ernment, the governor to the con-
trary, Notwithstanding" The result
was achieved under stress Of legisla-
tive retrenchment, and thus the glory
and the honor belong rather to the
legislature than to Governor Porter.
The message before us contains some
very remarkable suggestions. After
complaining of the revenue lost by
failure Of officers to collect State taxes
the governor recommends Ger.
TAINTY CAN BE SECURED BY MAKING
THE SEVERAL COUNTIES LIABLE FOR
THE QUOTA OF THE STATE TAX AS
sEssED WITHIN IT, AND CHARGE THE
COUNTIES WITH THE DEFAULTS, EVA
sIoNs AND ERRORS COMMITTED BY
THEIR OWN CHOSEN OFFICIALS" This
novel and brilliant method of collect
ing State revenue is entirely original
with the governor. He can obtain
patent for his invention, with nobody
to dispute his claim The proposition
boldly is, that each county must an
nually, by a SPECIAL tax, provide for
any failures of collection of State
revenue, or if the State levy is not
collected in full then it will be in
order for the comptroller, by mandam-
uses, TO force this State tax out Of the
counties. We do not see any quid pro
quo either for the people or the coun-
ties in such law. In this county, for
instance, on the lst Of January of any
year, $4,000 Of State revenue may be
unoolleoted-it matters not, Shelby
must promptly honor the comptroller S
draft for that amount. The govern
or's short sightedness is amazing. His
eageness to provide revenue for the
bondholders outruns his discretion
II is a matter of surprise that he
should seriously advocate the plan it
will be greater surprise if the legis-
lature should patiently, or at all, con-
slider the proposition.
Another renewed recommends
tion is that counties shall pay the costs
Of criminal prosecutions in felonies.
Lawyers tell us that our Supreme
Court has held that county can be
taxed ONLY FOR COUNTY PURPOSES.
A felony is crime against the State :;
process runs in the name Of the State !;
punishment is affixed by the State,
and the expense properly devolves
upon the State. Would, then, law
imposing the cost of felonies on coun-
ties be valid? But, to make a local
application, Memphis is metropoli-
tan city; Arkansas and Texas are
near, with channels of travel, by rail
and water; in our midst men from all
portions Of this and every other State
are attracted here, and thus crime is
increased-and thus, in measure, we
punish offenders for the universe.
There would be manifest and glaring
Injustice in imposing upon Shelby
county the enormous burden Of prob
ably one-fourth the cost of felonies in
the State. These recommendation of
the governor are puerile and pregnant
with calamity to our people. 1t is
hoped that legislative wisdom will in
tervene and defeat these unwise and
vicious policies In his last message
the governor has bequeathed a cup of
poison to the counties and the people
of Tennessee. Were he their enemy
he could not propose more hurtful
legislation.