The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1880-01-16
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
-,o,, ATrca IAN 6. 1890

I cordially Welcone you 10 oo-oiol-
rota branch Of the State government, to
that participation in its affairs which
,ba Constitution deyolves upon you as
representatives of the people. A great
and sacred trust has been committed to
vonr hands to be administered for the
uelfare of the entire State, without re-
GARD 70 section, class or party affiliation.
sincersly trust that your deliberations
viii be characterized by wisdom, peace
and harmony, and, earnestly invoking
the guidance and assistance of Almighty
God, that the result of your labors will
be such as to entitle you to His bless
ings, and to the gratitude Of the people
you represent.
The year succeeding the adjournment
Of the last Legislature was attended by
disasters unparalleled in the annals of
Mississippi A terrible epidemic, more
malignant in its character, and more fa-
tal than ever before known, invaded
many sections of the State, spreading
death, devastation and gloom wherever
IL went. Thousands of our fellow citi-
zens fell victims to the dreadful scourge,
and in numerous instances whole fami-
lies we're borne away, rs it were, to n
common grave. Many of our most hon
ored citizens are numbered among the
dead For many months the whole
State was melancholy scene of suffer-
ing, desolation and mourning. But in
the midst OF their distress the charitable
world, with unstinted hand, ministerel
to the relief Of our suffering people.
From the cities, towns and villages,
North, East, West and South, large
sums of money and many needed sup
plies, were forwarded to our relief Asso-
Citations; and several large donations
were received from foreign countries.
The different Masonic bodies, Odd Eel.
lows aud other benevolent institutions
throughout the country, were most con
spicuous and liberal in their deeds d
charity; and 1 was advised of no in
stance in which the sick suffered fol
want Of money or supplies after their nc
cessities were made known, and the,
could be reached by any means of trans
portation
The relief thus contributed was trans
ported and distributed by milrod, ex
press, and steamboat companies, free o
charge and all correspondence for pur
poses Of relief, or appeartaining thereto
was transmitted by telegraph companie
upon the same terms. Such generosit
on the part Of the people everywhere
and the valuable services rendered b
transportation and telegraph companies
claim recognition from the represents
tives Of those who were the beneficiarie
ot their munifcent bounties.
partial failure of the cotto
crop in portions of the State, and til
unremunerative prices received for i
created feeling Of discomfort anon
plantation laborers, which, togetht
with other extraneous influences, cause
some to abandon their crops in I'll
spring to seek homes in the West. +,
3 time the planting interest in the Mi
slSsippi valley was seriously threatened
but the excitement soon subsided nj
the supply of labor continued abo
equal to the demand.
During the year just closed, the pc
pie, with the exception Of those of ty
or three small villages, have been ia
ored with unusually good health; and
iair yield of the crop, together with t
satisfactory price received for it has, in
great measure allayed the apprehensio
ielt on account Of the threatened disc
ganization of the labor system. T
trade and industries of the State ha
greatly revived, and there are unm
taxable evidences of returning prospe
y. AT no time since the close of {
war has 30 general a spirit Of contel
ment prevailed among all classes of 0
citizens, and all seem to lcok forwa
with confidence to bright and hap
future.
With few exceptions, peace and
uer have prevailed during the last t
years and the laws for the punishmc
OF crime have, as a rule, been prompt
vigorously and successfully admin
.eted desire to bear testimony to
aithiulness with which the Judges q
District Attorneys, and other oific
charged with the administration of
criminal laws have performed their ,
tes' Too much cannot be said in th
oommendation.
The political canvass through VIII
we have recently passed was an ex,
ing one, but SO far as am informed