The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-01-13
rHE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.


1t is Il custom to give our read.
ers a brief editorial review Of the
Governors message. Iu doing so
we simply touch il in high places,
ifit has any, and that just present.
ed to the Legislature, now in session,
has very few OF lhose places. The
Governor is very modest this year.
aud most of his message is II rrpeti-
ton of that OF two years ago.
La discussing the States financial
condition, he claims that the State
debt is not greater than shat of any
other Southern State save one, but
that 1t is still increasing, which he
accounts for by charging several
successive Legislatures With failure
to provide for revenue to meet ex.
pendituresand large appropriations.
Here the Governor braYely assumes
all the responsibility that may
properly attach to the Executive 10
giving his approval TO measures
for the support of education and
the maintenance of the States be
nevolent institutions, and very
modestly says these concerns be-
long to the people and they can
wipe them out if they want to.
lie then reverts to means where
by to raise revenue. He discusses
the inequality of assessments of
real and personal property at con-
siderable length, pointing out the
evil, but doesn't suggest a remedy.
BE renews his recommendation, OF
several years standing, that tue
failure to pay poll tax DO made a
misdemeanor, and now goes further
aud suggests that tue payment OF
poll tax be made a condition prece.
dent to the exercise of the right of
suffrage. And we notice here that
the Governor doesn't seem to ex-
poet or approve of a Constitutional
TOR wherever he advises
4 Constitutional amendment he rec
that the present Legisla-
ture sabmit the amendment 10 the
by an act of the present SEES
sion.
In discussing the judiciary lie adj
rises that petty misdemeanors be
made triable exclusively in the JUS
lice Courts, without tue grand jury
.uquestS; that district attorneys be
paid salaries instead of perquisites,
but doesn't express himself on the
question of doing away with the
.h~ancellors.
He reports the collection of
S7,7S3.22 on judgment recently Oh.
aimed for the State against the
States.
On the question of swamp lands
have been fraudulently en-
he submits a letter from the
AttOrney.G General, who states that
he act of the Legislature OF 1886
or cancelllug these entries is iuef-
e%ctive, for tue reason that in suit
o recover these lands, the purchase ,
money must, in each case, be ten.
Tered to the purchaser, and that :
money will have to be appropriated i
or that purpose. General Miller D
state, however, that be has .
ested the question. u
In discussing education aud edu- u
atiOnal facilities the Governor d
DOked into it all and ''saw that it "
as good" The free school system p
approved aud the colleges flourish VI
Ig, and ditto of charitable inStitu-
Ons. He approves the ~penitentia- T.
: lease system, as usual, and says in
that no change can be made I'll
lless the present lessees volunta. II
~ lescind their lease, conceding lis
Iat their contract is not forfeited n,
their violation of its terms. no
He also finds IN good working n,
ndition, the Railroad Commission, or
ate Library, Board of Health, the
.ssissippi Levees aud the State
he