The Tupelo journal., 1904-01-15

The far9Well message OF o LOngi-
no to the State legislature was read
to the two houses or the second day
of the session. The message makes
eighteen columns of solidly printed
matter, and is entirely too lengthy to
permit OF it's publication entire. We
therefore present the salient features
Of the document, which may be found
in the resume bolW: d.
The keynote of the message is economy
in appropriations. The governor goes at
length into the financial condition of the
State and points out that no issue of bonds
will be necessary if the proper economy is
observed in the matter of appropriations.
The governor thinks that the educational
institutions will not require as much as last
session, having been well provided for in
the way OF improvements and buildings.
In this matter of a bond issue the governor
is at variance with the report Of Auditor
Cole, whose figures show that a deficit of
nearly ST. 0 900 is inevitable in the next
two years with economical expenditures.
The governor recommends a commission
to take up the matter of preventing the in
PRODUCTION of the boil weevil into this
State. He recommends investigation into
the whitecap outrages in the counties of
Lincoln, Franklin and Amite.
The governor devoteS considerable space
to the penitentiary and the work of the
board of control in connection with the
opening of the new State farm and equip
ping it for the prisoners. He says that the
fact that the penitentiary has not only been
seuf-sustaining, but has been annually pay
ing into the treasury a handsome sum in
cash over and above expenses. including
the enormous cost of developing the new
farm. ought to be proof sufficient to all
fair minded persons of the economy ana
wise management exercised in the conduct
of its affairs.
The message reviews the general condi-
ton of the State and the workings of all
the various State institutions, and is full
of statistical matter showing the progress
of the State during the past four years.
The document is a voluminous one and
covers over eighteen columns of matter. in
which is exclusively considered every sub
ject Of interest TO the people of this State.
After referring to the honesty and integ.
rity of the various State officials and the
harmony existing between them, the gov
ernor speaks feelingly of the death of Su-
preme Court Clerk Brown and in compli-
mentary terms of George c.. Myers, his sue
cessor. He then plunged into a statement
Of the various State institutions. ali of
which he finds to be in good condition, with
affairs ably handled.
The penitenriary comes in for a more ex-
tended reference than the other Institutions,
and the governors opinion as to the manner
in which the affairs have been managed I'M
der his administration may be gathered
from the following extract
The fact that the penitentiary has not
only been self sustaining, but has been an
nually paying into the State treasury a
handsome sum in cash over and above all
its expenses, including the enormous cost
of developing this new farm. ought to all
ir-minded people, be proof sufficient of the
economy and wise management exercised in
the conduct of its affairs"
Bond Sale Unnecessary.
Passing to the question of finances, re
says:
Il am aware that much random gossip
has been engaged in recently to advise the
legislature and public that a large bond
sale will be necessary this year. While 1t
is an undeniable prerogative of the legisA
lature to order the issuance of interest
bearing bonds. yet I apprehend it is unnec-
essary to remind this body of intelligent
representatives of the people that before
saddling a large bonded debt upon the State
that they should first thoroughly study the
necessities of the subject for themselves.
rather than accept the vagrant theories of
the unadvised or selfish bond advocates.
In addition to being ex-oficio chairman of
all the State boards intrusted with the
disbursement of State funds. the law makes
the governor also something of a fiscal
oupnt for tho Statn nv lan1irinO hic on
prevail of all such claims before payment.
Thus. with the experience of four years,
emphasized by the personal, painstaking
and direct connection which the law i'm
poses upon me as to the affairs of the va
rious State institutions and interests. / am
constrained to venture the opinion that the
revenues which will come into the treasury
from the ordinary channels will be sufii-
cient for the economical and proper con-
duct of the State government and for the
different objects which draw support from
the treasury during the next two years
without, curtailment of Confederate pen
sions or lessening appropriations for public
schools. In support of this conclusion l
beg to submit the following careful esti-
mate of funds reasonably sure to become
available during the years 1904 and 1905,
viz.
Estimate of Expenses.
State tax. 1904-5 at 6 mills, $3.50, 900.
State privilege and insurance tax, $780,
OO0.s
Land sales. including Chickasaw school
lands. $150, 900.
Fees collected. $50, 600.
Back tax collections, 100000.
Net receipts from penitentiary, $150,000
United States appropriation to A. & NJ.
Colleges. $4,000.
Miscellaneous sources, $4,000.
Poll tax collections, 5000. 00O.
Total. S4,S30.000.
Though under the operations of the re-
cent constitutional amendment poll taxes
are retained for school purposes, yet mas
much as the money therefrom will doubt
less be taken into account when you come
to make appropriation for public schools, l
have included said polls in the estimate Of
available funds.
After referring to the great liberality Of
former legislatures, the governor recon-
mends that the old capitol grounds be sold
and the proceeds turned into the treasury.
Having in mind the necessity of a new
mansion, he suggests how it can be done
in this language:
The Way Out.
at door, IL ,rnDor haro RI diraot vorp