The leader., 1897-05-05


already distributed, suficlent 10 maintain the
schools four months. Otherwise Il would have
10 be raised BY taxation BY the state, and
whether raised by the State or BY the counties,
the taxes must be paid by the same individuals,
and ali the money thus raised by the counties
this year will be expended BY them respectively.
We recognize that The constitution directs that
there shall be distributed fund SUFFICIENT when
added 10 the poll tax collected and retained by
the county to maintain the county schools Tour
months; but the trainers OF the constitution
were providing for the establishment OF school
system and they we'll understood that 10 could
not be perfected at once-as did the Legislators
that adopted the code-and whatever Is neces-
sary TO put the system on permanent and In
vulnerable basis Is within the scope and author
ity Of the constitution. In the Imitation OF THIS
system the language OF the constitution y, In
the very nature OF things, 10 De construed as
By this means there viii be no necessity for
the State to borrow money for this years ex-
penses; the schools will be maintained this year
the same length Of time as heretofore, by the
taxation OF the same individuals whose taxes
have heretofore maintained them; the states
financial system VIII be SO ordered that the debt
will cease TO accumulate and We Will pay tue
debts that have been incurred; and there will
be n fund collected exclusively for schools and
held sacred for that purpose.
AS the legislature was TO be called Tor the pur-
pose OF devising ways and providing means 70
meet the appropriations and as IL Is the general
10 not the universal rule for the ways and means
committee to consider this matter and prepare
and preSenta bill for this purpose, ana as Dy
the consideration OF a committee, invited MEM
bers OF the ways and means committee TO meet
In advance OF the c0nyening OF the legislature,
to consider this matter. which would devolfe
upon them when the eglSldture should assemble.
BY so doing thou yht the detention OF your en-
tire body, while only the committee could be en-
1 afterwards invited the finance committee oil
the senate to meet, but owing to the dangerous
condition OF the waters OF tue MISSISSIPPI RIVER
at that time only three members OF the com
mittee could attend.
Land Omce.
/ submit to YOU copy OF report made TO me
by Col. j. NJ. Simonion, land commissioner
whose faithful, labOrious and efficient services
in the discharge of the arduous duties pertaining
to this office j commend. As you Will see by
the report, he has paid into the state treasury,
for lands sold and redemptions, S5o,s3l.oi, ana
he has paid into the State treasury 81, 1864 on
account of fees collected. | recommend the
granting OF his request for an appropriation OF
5000 to defray his expenses in retaining and
protecting the States lands against trespasses
New Capitol.
As you will see from a report that will be sub
mitted to you by the committee appointed by
you, composed Of the governor, secretary OF
State and attorney general, to select and sub
NIT TO you plan and specifications Tor the
building OF a new capitol a plan and speciflca-
tons have been selected, and the committee
unanimously agree in recommending IL to your
honorable body. AS the report shows, the COM
mittee had considerable number OF plans be-
fore them, and they were all excellent, drawn
plished gentlemen, and while 1t required no Ell
fort to select good plan there was great DIM
Guilty found in making the determinations.
In my Judgment the capitol is dangerous. You
have had it examined by experts and you have
their report as TO Its condition and safety. HaV-
ing occupied an Office in the building for more
than year just passed. know from obserVa-
ton that 1t does not afford shelter from the rain
for the records and archives OF the state, even
on the first floor. That new capitol must be
built or the old one entirely and thoroughly
oyerhauled, an investigation and inspection by
your honorable body Will demonstrate. 10
properly overhaul the old building will cost two
thirds as much as to build new one with more
than twice the space of the old, and furnishing
sufficient committee rooms for both houses,
without which you cannot transact the public
business with that efficiency, dispatch and con-
yenence that you can with them. You know
and appreciate the difficulties under which you
transact the public business without committee
rooms. In the light OF the development Of
architectural science, capitol erected at cost
of three-quarters OF million dollars viii last
and accommodate the business OF the State for
centuries. l recommend for your consideration
the erection OF such a capitol
Conclusion.
Gentlemen of tho senate and house OF repre-
sentatives. that IL was my duty to the State and
TO you TO conyoke your aSSemblage in le9tsla-
tive session at this lime ! indulge no doubt; but
| have approached that duty which requires me
to recommend legislation for your consideration
with trembling tmdity and diffidence. You
have been selected by honorable and intelligent
constituencies for your wisdom, craftsmanship
of the people and the good and glory OF the state,
and earnestly and deyoutly invoke the pres
ence OF spirit born of the creator in ali your
deliberations.
This concludes my official message to you,
whichis intended only for special message to
put you in possession of such information OF
the state of the government as in my Judgment
will be OF service to you in the special legSla-
ton you will consider. Permit me at this time
to tender you message, more sacred to me, of
thanks for your gracious resolution OF sympathy
III the death of my daughter, which deeply and
tenderly touched inc, and which, in spirit of
humility born of bereavement and sorrow will
always remember with the deepest sense OF
gratitude. ANSELM j. MCLAURIN.