The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-03-26
The Citizens, Maetinp.

On Friday night there was large gathering
OF taxpayers and citizens generally, at the
Representatives Hall in pursuance to the call
which was circulated in poster form
Mr. John W. Robinson, moved that DR.
Robert Kells take the chair, and put the mo-
ton, which was carried
DR.. Kells, upon taking the chair, after
thanking the audience said the meeting was
for the purpose Of considering the financial
condition of the city
Mr. Marion Smith, moved that Hon. Oliver
Clifton, act a. Secretary, which was carried.
Col W. L. Nugent offered the preamble and
resolutions:
WHEREAS. On the 21st of April 1873. the
Mayor and Aldermen of the city Of Jackson,
authorized, by act of the Legislature, to re-
fund the outstanding debt Of our city TO the
amount Of $4,000. The proviso to the third
section OF said act prohibiting the Issuance, IN
any year, Of warrants in excess OF the revenue of
said city Tor that year; and,
WHEREAS, Notwithstanding said prohibition
warrants were issued, subsequent 10 the 18th
day Of April 1873, IN excess warrants oil saId
city, TO such extent that on the 1st day Of
February 1876 the said Mayor and Aldermen
were bv another act OF the Legislature. passed
on that day, authorized and empowered to issue
an additional series Of bonds 10 bear interest
at the rate Of eight per cent per annum, no lin
it being fixed To the amount OF bonds which
were 10 be issued; and
WHEREAS, The rate Of taxation has increased
in order to provide Tor tine payment OF warrants
which were issued in excess OF revenue and the
warrants of said city have continually gone down
in value; and
WHEREAS, The taxpayers and people of said
city are interested in the matter and desire TO
know the reason for this anomalous condition
of things and to be protected against the oft
recurring funding bills under laws which place
no limit upon the power TO issue bonds IN pay
ment thereof; therefore, be it
/. Resotccd, That the Chairman appoint q
committee of three discreet accountants, citi-
zens Of the said city, who hereby charged
with the duty OF making Il full, fair and impas-
stoned examination OF the books, papers, re-
cords, vouchers. settlements and accounts in
the office Of said Mayor and Aldermen and in
the office OF the CITY Assessor and Collector OF
taxes and ascertain all the facts and reasons for
the present condition of things and report TO a
future Convention OF the taxpayers of this
city.
=. That the Chairman appoint a committee OF
three citizens OF this city who shall be charged
with the duty OF consulting with the first COM
mlttee appointed under these resolutions after
they shall have concluded their examination
and reporting to this Convention what steps, il
any, may be necessary to correct the evils under
which we are laboring, and reduce the present
rate Of taxation well to formulate plan
to prevent future difficulties
Col. Nugent, in awell-timed speech, support
ed the resolutions.
Col. J. L. Power stated that As a school
trustee he knew that the teachers warrants
were cashed dollar for dollar
Alderman J. 5. Hamilton said that no school
warrants were issued unless the money was in
the treasury to pay them.
Capt. John Estelle said that he was in favor
Of the resolutions but opposed to the preamble,
that somebody was on trial, and that no ex-
preston should be made Is to the facts until
the committees, provided for in the resolution,
reported
Hon. w. P. Harris supported both pream-
bic and resolutions. He said that the tax
payers needed the investigation so that they
might know something OF the city finances, and
the administration of city affairs. That in his
opinion the machinery OF the city government
was too large for the city itself-that instead
Of our being too big for the breeches, the
breeches are too big for us.
Mayor John McGill said that he dissented
from the preamble; that in his opinion they
stated as facts things that were not facts, but
that he would make no captious opposition to
them as he wanted the investigation. and he
therefore moved the adoption OF the resolu-
tions.
There was no opposition, and the preamble
and resolutions, as above, were adopted unan-
imously A running talk was then had as to
where the investigation should begin, and it
was finally agreed that the committee should
begin at the first issuance OF warrants after
the first funding of warrants in 1873.
Col Nugent stated that the Chair would
probably not be able to appoint the commit
bees then and moved that he be allowed to do
30 after adjournment. The Chairman stated
that he would prefer to have time so that he
might make proper selections The motion
was adopted, and the meeting adjourned sub
jet to the call Of the Chairman
THE CoMMTrTEEs.-Dr. Kells has appointed
Messrs. Oliver Clifton, l. Strauss and B. w.
Griffith the Committee of Investigation.
ADVISORY CONMITrEE.-Messrs. W. L. NJ
gent, Jno. w. Robinson, II. NJ Taylor