The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1906-01-06
| GOVERNOR VARDAMAN'S
| MESSAGE TO THE SALONS.

The message submitted by the Gov
ernor is document of unusual length,
and many matters are discussed. In
the Introductory paragraphs ne dis
cusses the duty of the Legislature and
states that, although the session is linn
tied to thirty days, he will exercise the
constitutional function and make such
extensions from time to time as may be
necessary for the completion of the
work.
Considerable space is devoted to the
States financial problems and a bond
issue in the sum of not less than 81 ,2OO,-
900 recommended. The needs of the
various educational institutions are set
forth and the Legislators urged to see
that they are properly provided for,
which will require funds in excess OF
the revenue now in sight or available.
The action of the previous administra-
ton in building the new State House
without issuing bonds is assigned as
the cause of present financial troubles.
The governor next turns his attention
to the penitentiary system and discus
ses it at much length, severely CRITICS.
ing the board of control and recon-
mending that it be abolished. Some of
the business methods of the body are
strongly condemned. The lease of the
Sandy Bayou place, which is now a
subject of litigation, IS termed by the
Governor as a fragrant violation Of the
law. An eloquent appeal is made for
more humane treatment for the con-
victs. The Governor reviews the in
stance of brutal treatment of convict
in Rankin county which resulted in the
Indictment of Capt. Puckett, sergeant
of the Rankin prison farm.
On the subject of education the Gov
ernor reiterates his campaign platform,
urging division of the school fund be-
tween the races, declares that the edu-
Gated negro is more criminal than the
illiterate members of the race, and en-
courages them to aspire for social equal
itv. He declares that the legislature
should "put stop to the worse than
wasting a half million dollars annually
money taken from the toiling white
men and women of Mississippi-and de-
voted to the VAN purpose of trying to
make something of the negro which the
Great Architect of the Universe failed
to provide for in the original plan of
creation"
An appeal is made to give the chill
dren of the country districts the same
educational advantages as those en-
ioyed by the children of the city
schools.
The remainder of the message is de
voted to recommendations for needed
Legislation, which may be briefly sum-
married. as follows:
Enactment of laws to force the hold
ers of solvent credits to list them for
taxation and to bring about equality
and uniformity in assessments.
Investment of the State Board of
Health with plenary power, and allow
the State to bear all the expenses Of
quarantine; authorize the governor, in
conjunction with the health authorities,
to use the National guard for quaran-
tine purposes; revocation OF the license
of any physician who fails to cooperate
with the health authorities; appoint
ment of a field officer for the State
Board Of Health who shall be constantly
on the watch to prevent the introduction
of yellow fever. The governor states
that he borrowed S33, 900 to defray the
expenses of the recent quarantine and
asks that the sum be paid by the legis-
lature.
Recommendation for the improve
ment Of equipment and facilities and
the erection Of new buildings at the two
insane hospitals.
Increase Of salaries for circuit judges
and chancellors to a point commensu-
rate with the dignity Of the office and
work performed.
The governor declares that crimina.
assaults are increasing in the State al
an alarming rate and suggests that q
special appropriation be made to be
used by the governor to ferret out crimi-
nails of this class.
More stringent punishment for drum
kedness in office, the penalty increasing
in severity at ratio corresponding
with the dignity of the office.
Sale of the old State house property
and grounds.
Enactment of legislation within con-
stitutional bounds that will give sta
biEty, inspire confidence and insure Sc