The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-10-13
LETTERS ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS
No. g.

q. |Nf fpEf ~ HhFt"v9 tp"fttJs
1ae a. tine subjects that should constant
I. engage ibe attention Of the people Of
..4rv agmmonweath is to keep clearly
lH ,Gsir mind. tue three departments which
,amrase every republican form Of govern
u.uf and % correctly understand the
Irrr.IaHs and duties Of elch and their i'm
uurraace 90 the people al large. The peo-
u.. fa theory govern themselves; but as
t..r arc pm numerous that il is impossible
t. collect them together in order 10 enact
..r lyr,uf. laws or enforce them, il has
been found necessary to delegate the right
and powers Of the many to few persons
eA9 are called represe natives, because
ta.r are supposed 90 represent the wishes
.f lH.-. who elect them. These persons
trather with the Senate, body supposed
Do he composed Of men OF a higher order
uf intelligence and integrity, Compose the
legislative departments OF the STATE. In
p,at of fact these presumptions are some
uues inconsistent with the real state OF
ur case. There are a umerous body Of
o.her officers Who are of mixed charac
Ter. thaf is. they have TO a Limited extent
legislative and judicial powers. ! refer to
H.r -ulervi5ots OF the various counties
bat lu-y will not be discussed in tbi-
letter. The Executive powers OF the State
are delegated 20 the Governor and to
yriuu. otIer State officers. 1t ia difficult
Co -y which department requires the
greater Judgment, honesty and patriotism
i8 secure lt4 faithful administration. |
shall Tell you first Of the legislature, ana
perhaps afterwards Of the executive and
uGicud departments.
When Legislature meets il is first ne
ee-.sry tn elect "a Speaker Of the House.
The President ol the Senate. who il always
tEe Li.uieuaut- Governor, Is elected by the
pe.r.--aud / will here say there is no
more important officer, a. he has the same
puwUrs u Tine -cuate that the Speaker has
in lhr House, so that what / say OF one
will apply TO the other. These two odi-
Cera are the most influential duriag the
session OF the Legislatures Of our State,
because they have the right to appoin,
tbp committees 90 both houses and the
Speakers election, l imagine, is often sd-
vanetd uy his supposed lnciinations in
appointing committees. The question
seems tU me 90 resolve itself into this:
Whether the Speaker or President desires
900 economical or q liberal administration
OF the States finances The determiua-
tl0u Of that question viii determine the
complexion of the committees on Ways
and Aleans and on preparations, aud
the ChaIrmauship Of these committees. Ii
The Speaker desires liberal appropriations
II believe that is the proper phrase) Tor
colleges, hospitals, asyiums and Tor the
various departments, he OF course would
select gentlemen fivoring these views on
the Committee on appropriations. 1t would
be inconsistent TO appoint liberal appro-
priatiou committee, unless the way and
means OF meeting such appropriations
were supplied. Besides these, the Judi
oiary. the Committee on Corporations and
on Education are the most important. 1t
would naturally occur TO the uniformed
that these committees could not control
the entire body. 1t is true they can not
always do 20, but the reference TO favor
able committee gives an immense adgan-
tage, because, lst, When favorable report
De- made, there are q number of committee
men ready 20 support the report of the
committee; ID, The committees are in
iormcd and prepared to speak in support
OF tneir report while the balance OF the
members OF the House are not so well in
formed and are taken at a disadvantage,
each OF the committeeman having heard
The subject OF their report discussed in the
committee rooms 81. 1t often oecurs that
the committee have the countenauce OF the
Speaker, and are readily seen when they
rise 20 speak 18th. They are supposed to
have carefully considered their report, and
have prestige in the House, gwen them
by the very Tact Of their being supposed TO
be au impartial Committee OF the Honse.
You can readily understand when thirteen
gentlemen who are supposed to have been
considering the subject Tor two months,
come iu aud say thut it requires an addl-
tonai tax of seventy. five per cent. more
than last years tax To run the State Gov
eminent, that but a lew persons can gam
say d. The same il tue OF the reports oi
the other committees, and except under
very p,clliar circumstances these commit
tees ate the controlling elements OF each
branch OF the Legislature.
The next most important branch OF our
legislative system il that which is written
Ia BIO book, aud whose powers are treated
% By no law; a power, gentlemen, so po-
ieuual, su Iu-lnuating, 50 secret, conhden-
uai aud enuClug; 80 machiavelian In Its
induerce over the ordinary legislator that
% ls almost impossible 10 resist it's power.
lspeaN OF a body of lobbyists, who lniest
every legislative body in behalf OF raii-
roads, schools and appropriations OF every
And and description Ii Is sad truth.
oat 10 Is truth, that soule OF the first gem
uemen OF the State have enrolled them
selves ln this branch OF our legislative sys-
5lu, and The only consolation to be telt on
that subject is that they are heartily
a'hsin5d Of their honors. This, gentle
msu, Is an evil which should be abated by
'he most stringent legislation. There Is
one remarkable fact about this associate
branch; they never LOBBY in behalf OF
seonomy OF the people. | feel quite tree
% discuss this subject because | am salts
NED u would now he impossible to tnd q
member OF the third House in the State.
Ion can now see why it is that some
Vines 1t !. With The greatest difficulty that
economical and iudicious legislation can
S,testcured, even when majority favor IL
When We consider the further fact that the
uf'uous are not always wise and the wise
ere not always virtuous when we consider
sA4' u is sometimes esteemed statesmaa's
WY ~ the phrase now goes) 10 sacrihce
we Pholie veal Tor local advantage, II Is
lo' surprising that our legislation Is ex-
+"asdnt rather than economical ana
specially Is this true when we remember
~ mas grown to be rather disreputabte
amer Than honorable TO have been in the
gsiature. Gentlemen. it is with you
a 'he people OF the State to correct
Inc converse Of the propositions / have
ra'ee Is easy to be seen and understood.
N Speaker or President who desires eco-
-llcal legislation; who desires the inter
:. o' The great body of the PEOPLE be sub
'eu Father than the prosperity OF lew
O uesres the smallest appropriations
sstent With the public needs who de-
- tue lowest levy of taxes the smallest
uoers Of officers consistent with the pub
~ ~~1vice who wishes legislation uninfiu-
0eu by personal appeals-can 50 shape
at IL. L.. Senfta 4
:, accomplish this end, by selecting
sr' industrious and conservative men
oa specially by selecting those who have
county axes to grind.
Dul legislation is not the only duty ts
Performed by Legislature. 1t is theil
~ investigate the manner In which
pubic affairs have been conducted z
lAin the needs of asylums, schools
n'al-, penltentiaries, ETC., and to know
lsner the public moneys shave been prop
~, eApended. These duties are OF tn
importance and should be perform
'hout Tear or favor to any one. To tn
,,.Sgallng ,,.S committeeman, the prestlg
sb~ power OF the officer he il investigating
IN 49, pe forgotten personal considers
~ should be laid aside, and the trutl
y .oniy the truth should be sought after
all.S. ,ns 1overnor, Treasurer, Auditor an,
vs;s. tu"hc officers should be put on trial
t;va. '.s me people through their representa-
sams are examining their affairs Th
on'ss, care aud exactness should be re
o. W. ~ IN the business Of private pefsol
ps,s 'Poralion; and if duty has been vel
"a, ',lned ,l It should be made known, !
shos,s, sas ofhcer should be impeached- I
i is@ 49, pe remembered that absolute Grim
ptaeh. Always necessary 20 support ~ lm
IN IA @'snt but malfeasance Or tnisleasanc
n, IS sometimes sufficient
frn;'ass combination Of local interests e