The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1888-01-11
THE CLARION--S SUPPLEMENT.
JACKSON. MISS. JANUARY II. 1888.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.



several counties u the State The pact year has been only
peaceful and heahfu one but year Of unusual prosperity
The we'll titled ground has generously responded to the
labor e the huandman Barns and cribs filed with
assuring abundant supply Of food and with average
crop 0fou chief product cotton life Infused into the
tories Of trade Indeed il may be said that not only agreu-
manufacturer but every charter Of industry has been
fairly rewarded and il may be confidently asserted that the
signs ofboth individual and general prosperity are more mani
fest Mississippi the close Of the year 1887 than they have
been during The last decade For al these blessings we should
return grateful thanks to the great Master OF the Universe
You have assembled in obedience 70 the provisions Of the
constitution a. the sovereign power to enact such laws as IN
your judgment will be beneficial 10 those whose agents you are
give the substantial assurance that evenhanded justice will
be observed between communities and interests and in the dis
charge Of this important duty suggest that too much esa
ton should be avoided In this communication submit for
your consideration sundry changes in existing laws we'll
several entire enactments, which, my judgment are imPera
lively demanded
Many Of your number have the advantage Of wide ezpe-
rence In legislative service and therefore appreciate that
servatism which should leave its impress upon legislative
proceedings To grasp and deal with the great interests that
mands only deliberaton but careful investigation and
familiarity with tie workings Of the several departments Of the
State poyerpsent respectfully suggest that the most i'm
ports subjects touching your abor should receive your
which kep in opeaon the entire machinery Of the State Gov
eminent should be postponed until the latter part Of
the session. and for the want Of time either defeated deferred
for years All who share in the responsibility Of shaping
legislation should endeavor nearly possible to reach the
standard and expectations OF their constituents Experience
has taught many auay lessons and Of them that hur
ried legislation generally harmful This demonstrated by
different interpretations the statute by those LEANED
in the awhencc is that the early consideration of all
order aordng time TO all concerned to do their work we'll
Six years experience in the Executive Office has thoroughly
convinced that the Governor should have the time contem
plated by the constitution to examine and consider bills
ented him for approval but Often upon the heels of the
on he called upon pass upon bills than he read
before the time fixed for adjournment The observance of the
foregoing suggestions WILL in my judgment add efficiency and
wisdom to your abors indulge the hope that will labor
harmonouy our greatest ambition being to serve faithfully
In my message submitted to the Legislature in 1884, touch
ing the
condition Of the State deemed important and regard it
that the fiscal year be changed that the reports the
Auditor of Public Accounts and the State Treasurer should be
in the hands Of the Governor previous the assembling of
Legislature that he may be enabled examine Them
have data upon which to base recommendations and also
that the two Houses may be promptly informed of the most i'm
rant subject demanding their attention. As present with
seal year ending the 3lst Of December these officials
'5 y days, and perhaps weeks furnish you with their
~ Is The Constitution, Article 4, Section 26, pro-
v, ' - money shall be drawn from the Treasury
not only prad for made by law therefore the Legislature
reefs M exnendi, Kissing OF the revenue, bat also d
the two departments mentoneo are absouteIv '3 s
be furnished unless S.e yea power and this can
ArsfssNitNTs-T
In considering the subeoL nanee may be safely
that il would be difficult to find well informed in the
Commonwealth would hazard his reputation by saying that
the wealth Of the State assessed at onehird its value
This may be accounted for in when it is well
that previous 1876 when the State period
than the combined taxes State and County in many
of the counties day when 30 per cent Of the andwere for
eed to the state for nonPayment OF taxes when taxation
amounted to almost confscaon for relief against this oppes
mate has not been materially changed Notwithstanding nearly
all the forfeited lands have been redeemed and the State
reduced from IA to . and 81 mills IL no answer to say that
supposed that property owners list their property under
osh for they do not there preence that this is
done fair approximation of the values of the State would
not increase, but ultimately reduce taxation. But upon the
present Of $12S 00O0 00 less State tax
levied than almost any Southern, and of the Northern,
States The payable debt of the State is less than Southern
State and perhaps less than that The taxes State
and County combined less than have been paid by the
people ntweny years. State per cent. bonds sold
handsome premium That the State debt than 1882
will be shown by the Treasurer when his report furnished
and upon this increase call the attention of the Legislature
my message Of 1884, fcm which quote &c" convinced that
if the appropriations for the years 1SS5 exceed $70O000
nuay that il will result in creating deficit unless the rate of
taxation is increased which should be done" Again my
message Of 1885, said 81 venture repeat and emphasize the
caution contained in my message that the most rigid econ
oy must be naupuated in every department of the govern
men Even then apprehend that the present will
prove inadequate TO meet necessary expenses"
In connection with this subject it will be remembered that
the Legislature of 1882 reduced the State from q
mills and so remained for four years from 1882 to 1885,
making difference of $4,000 per annum aggregate of
100000. In addition to this the Legislature
increased the common school fund hundred thou
sand dollars per The reduction of taxation and
of expenditures baced upon the valuation of prop
ery and resources must necessarily produce deficit If be
almost any State the Union) it should be said that the State
has been conducted for the past six years
ny those who bear the burdens will through their repre-
scntayes have extravagant appropriations and improper
penditures cease IT, heretofore, the law makers with the
approval Of the Executive have been liberal in the support
Of education and charitable institutions generous in pro-
vdng for the support Of the schools the Stats Unver-
the a NJ Oolege institute college,
the Acorn University, the Normal School Holly Springs,
the TugOoo University the Insane Ayums at jackson and
Meridian the Deaf and Dumb and Blind Institutes, and the
Hospitals at the cities Of Voksburg and Matches all Of which
specially mentioned in this communication, this support
be reduced Of the Colleges and benevolent nsttu
tons, entirely withdrawn They belong to the people of the
State and they maintain them in such they deem
proper abolish them altogether assume all responsibility
that should properly attach the Executive in the approval
for the support of education and the mainananSe
all the States benevolent institutions and viii take pleasure
cooperating with you for their continued intelligent and
Sessu management have and do confidently believe that
fair ustment and application of the of the Stat
viii be ample these and other necessary expenditures
without imposing unjust heavy burdens the people I'm
der system the Auditor and Treasurer alone handle and dis
burse all collected for the support of the government
Not dollar goes for any purpose except upon the
Of warrant by the Auditor and its payment by the Treasurer
These officials have given large bonds for the faithful perform
Of their duties and in judgment have been faithful
their trusts and you will doubt find them ready cordial
cooperate with in devsng to meet such exper
ditures as the result Of your labors may suggest
In providing for the economical administration Of til
government respectfully submit that the collection of the
nquen poll tax will put annually from $4,000 to $4,000
in the Treasury; the payment Of the debt, redu.
Of interest Chckasaw School fund will retail