Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-01-14

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:
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 bond issue the governor
is at variance with the report of Auditor
Cole, whose figures show that deficit OF
nearly $i,o00,0o0 is inevitable in the next
two years with economical expenditures.
The governor recommends commissicn
to take up the matter of preventing the IN
PRODUCTION of the boil weevil into thia.
State He recommends investigation into
the whitecap outrages In the counties Oh
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 Ii 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 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-
tion 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 voluminous one and
covers over eighteen columns of matter, In
which is exhan,tively 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
affairs ably handled.
The penitentiary comes in for more ex-
tended reference than the other inst sitne~ss-
and the governors opinion as to the manner
in which the affairs have been managed un-
der his administration may be gathered
from the following extract:
1.-THE fact that the penitentiary has not
only been seIf-sustaining, but has been an
nually paying into the State treasury
handsome sum In cash over and above all
its expenses including the enormous cost
of developing this new farm, ought to all
fair-minded people, be proof sufficient of the
economy and wise management exercised In
the conduct of its affairs 49,.
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 undeniabe prcrogative Of the legis
lature to order the issuance of interest
bearing bonds, yet apprehend it Is unnec-
essary to remind this body of intelligent
representatives of the people that before
saldling 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-oflicio chairman of
all the State boards intrusted with the
disbursement of State funds, the law makes
the governor also something of fiscal
agent for the State by requiring his ap-
proval 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. l am
constrained to venture the opinion that the
revenues which viii come into the treasury
from the ordinary channels will be suffi-
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 curtaiiment of Confederate pen
sions or lessening appropriations for public
schools In support of this conclusion
| 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 s2,S50.O0O.
State privilege and insurance tax, $780,
| O0o
Land sales, including Chickasaw school
| lands, S150,000.
| Fees collected. $4,000
| Back tax collections 100000.
Net receipts from penitentiary, s15o.oo0.
| United States appropriation to A. & NJ.
| Colleges. $4,000.
| Miscellaneous sources $4,000.
| Poll tax collections, 100000.
Total, S4,S30, 900.
| 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,
| have included said polls in the estimate OF
| available funds.
1 After referring TO the great lberality OF
| former legislatures, the governor recon-
l mends that the old capitol grounds be sold
I and the proceeds turned into the treasury
Having in mind the necessity of new
| mansion. he suggests how 1t can be done
| In this language:
| The Way Out.
| Il deem it proper here to direct youl
| attention to the fact that the State owns
| In the city of Jackson some very valuable
/ real estate which in my judgment should be
/ sold and the money turned into the treas
| ury l refer to the old capitol grounds
| except that portion thereof which has beer
| set aside as a Confederate monumental
/ park, and that large tract lying east OF Il
known as the fair grounds; 10 the seven
! acre lot fronting on State street immedi
| ately north of the Blind Institute and be
| longing thereto, and TO the sixty acre trac'
| from the street car line in West Jackson
| known as the deaf and dumb property; ane
| should your honorable body conclude to re
move the Deaf and Dumb Institute from it
/ present site as above herein suggested. th'
lands and buildings now used by this In
| stitution would command ready sale a
large prices. / am advised that the hand
some new brick school building now on sait
| property could be transformed with com
| paratiyely small cost into a modern, com
1 modious and beautiful mansion home fo
4 the governor. But be this as ii may th
! present mansion, situated as it low Is. al
| most in the heart of the business portion
ee tbs city, and badly In need Of large e