The sun., 1901-07-28

" was not only the superaDunoance OF leg-
islaticn under the reconstruction re eRime Of
which the white inhabitants Of Mississippi
complained they also alleged that some Of
the laws were framed for corrupt purposes.
The District Printing bill. for instance. was
believed to have been devised by Gov. Ames
to enable him to support a partisan press
and control II In his interest. BY the pro-
visions OF this act the several Chancellors
we're authorized TO designate certain news
papers In their respective districts TO do
the Official and legal advertising. such as the
publication OF delinquent tax lists. notices
OF sherifrs' Gales, proceedings OF boards Of
Supervisors. &c. There had previously been
but few Republican new wspapers In the State,
but this measure caused q number OF small
sheets. all Of which were short lived. to spring
into existence in order TO get the public print
ing. With the repeal OF the act which called
the sheets into existence. they disappeared.
Mr.. Garner denounces the so-called Pearl
River scheme as one OF the most notorious
swindles contrived by the Mississippi Legis-
lsture under carpetbag rule. 1t seems that
several members Of the Legislature organized
the Pearl River Navigation Company. and
induced the Legislature to give them certain
lands granted by tho United States for school
purposes and for the Improvement Of the
navigable streams OF the state. in considera-
ton OF which the company bound itself to re-
move all obstrnctions TO navigation In Pearl
River The Governor approved the bill with
out exacting the proper bonds and guaran-
tees that the service should be faithfully
performed The company sold about lo5,oo
acres Of the land and used the money without
removing snag from the river
Another measure which provoked much
complaint wns an act passed comforting upon
the Governor the power to appoint tax
collector In each county. The collection OF
taxes had always been one OF the functions
OF the sheriff, who was an elective oiflcpr.
The duty was now transferred to another
Set Of officials who would he independent OF
popular control The Governor made a
number Of appointments under the act. but.
before II went into effect the Supreme Court
declared tho law unconstitutional. still
another measure authorized the Governor
TO appoint q special revenue agent for each
county whose duty It should be to investigate
the accounts Of Sherifs and 1reasurers.
to enforce the collection of revenue improperly
withheld from those Metals. and To hunt up
frauds, defalcations, &c These agents were
TO receive so per cent OF all shortages dis
covered, or delinquent taxes collected. and
were supposed to be elcctioneerins agents
for Gov Ames. who was understood 10 be
a candidate for the Senate. Some Of tho
appointees were members OF the Legisla-
turs, although the State Constitution pro-
hibIted members from holding Offices Of their
own creation 0nr NJ the notorious jobs OF
tho lie gisla,ure in 1875 was the lease of the
State oonvicts, several hundred In number.
TO one OF its own members for a period Of
hye years without compensation TO the state,
although the lessee Immediately transferred
them to another person. by way OF sub-casc.
for n large sum The action ot Gov Ames
In approving the contract was one Of the
grounds on which he was subsequently i'm
peached Such were the more notable in
stances In which the carprtbng Legislature
WAS charged with abusing Its power.