The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-01-16


of Assessors was organized; all the
roads in the Stale were duly assess
cd, aud the Western and Atlantic,
Tennessee Coal and Iron, Missis-
sippi Central, Mississippi and Ten
nessee, Roane Iron Company, Nick
ajack, Duck River Valley, Ripley
and Middle railroads have paid
their ssessments; the others are
contesting in the courts the power
of the State to levy and collect
taxes from them.
PUBLIC ROADS.
One of the most important func-
tions OF government is the making
provision for public roads for the
use of the people. 1t is a matter
of public notoriety that the State
of Tennessee has made a discredit-
able failure in the attempt TO make
this requirement, and no@ com
plants of the inetficiency of the
road laws come from all parts OF
the State. The reluctance on the
part OF the juries OF the country 10
punish Oyerseers for neglect of
duty, is the result of u system that
annexes to the unpaid office of road
overseer heavy penalties for his
negligence, but clothes him with
no sufficient authority to secure
prompt obedience to his orders. l
submit 10 the General Assembly
the providing by law a board of
road commissioners, selected by
lot frCm the body of the Justices,
who shall have stated meetings and
general supervision of the roads of
the counties, with power to appoint
and remove Overseers, to assess and
collect through the Overseer a tax
from the property and persons OF
each road district, sufficient in
amount to maintain the road in
good order, with privilege to the
tax payer to discharge the assess
ment against him in work upon The
road. The County Court should
have the power upon proper com
plant to compel by mandanns the
citizens of each district to comply
with the law, and the existing pro
ceeding against the Overseer should
not be disturbed, but moderate
compensation fixed by law should
be allowed for his services. No
compensation is necessary for the
Commissioners, except that which
is now allowed to them for similar
services when acting in their ordi-
nary official capacity. No exemp-
ton from road tax should be made
in favor of any property liable TO
taxation nor in favor of any person
by reason OF age or occupation.
VARIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS.
The Governor recommends a
strict compliance with the constitu-
JIonal provision that nc money
shall be drawn from the Treasury
but in consequence OF appropria-
tons made by law; the correction
of the evil of the costs Of litigation,
and a change in the practice OF ap
peals to the Supreme Court, so as
to lessen the labors of the Judges,
and to discourage appeals that are
not meritorious.
Mob law is condemned, and a
more efficient organization of the
State Board of Health is recomend-
ed, with an appropriation for it's
use, together with authority to
quarantine the State against infect
ed points. A gratifying report is
made of the condition of the public
schools, and the only recommends
ton made as to the school system
is to ''let it alone"
The School for the Blind Is
shown to be IN hourIshing coudi
ton, and the Bureau of Agriculture,
Statistics and Mines to be doing
good work, through its agency
during the past two years more
than seven thousand immigrants
having settled IN the State.
Alterations in the public road
laws are suggested, and the removal
of the peultentlary from the city
is urged.
New Legislation should be pro-
vided to rid the country of tramps,
and an appropriation for the Fish
should be made.
Appropriations from Congress
are needed for the Improvement of
the Cumberland and Tennessee riv-
ers, and the Legislature should ex-
press the desire and necessities of
the people in that connection, as
well as for the improvement of the
Mississippi.
An appropriation ia asked for to
cover the $4,97I,77 expended tor
the aid Of the yellow fever sufferers,
and a suggestion made that the ser
vices of the railroad, telegraph and |
express companies, together with |
those of Lieut.. Ii II. Benner. u. ). !
A, be noticed in fitting terms.