Message of the Governor of Alabama.
The Governor of
Alabama, in his message to the extraordinary session of the Legislature of his State, in view of the exposed condition of some portions of the
State, recommends such legislation as shall enable the
State authorities to control the slave labor of the
State for the purpose of constructing fortifications and other means of defence on the rivers and bays.
He also recommends ample appropriations from the treasury to be made, in order to cover liabilities which may be incurred thereby, and all other outlays which may be deemed needful for the better protection and security of the
State.
The Governor considers the question of supplying the people with salt one of very great importance, and recommends the appointment of a joint commission, empowered to visit the salt land, and examine the condition of the works and the conduct of those engaged, and all points connected with the business, necessary to enable the Legislature to approximate the cost at which salt can be made, and to as certain the best mode for developing the supply.
The prise of salt, he says, should be made uniform, if possible, and that if private parties are unwilling to accept reasonable profits upon their capital and labor thus employed, he would recommend, as the true policy, that the
State take possession of all the works, with authority to press laborers and everything needed, and operate them under a regulated system for the common benefit of the people.
In speaking of allowing the citizens of other States to manufacture salt for their own use at any of the works, except those on the
State reservations, the
Governor says:‘"United as are these
Confederate States, in a common destiny, and mutually dependent, as they are, upon each other, I trust that the General Assembly of
Alabama will concur in the expediency and propriety of inviting the citizens of other States to the salt supply which they may obtain within our limits by devoting their own labor and capital to its development."’
In behalf of the indigent families of absent soldiers a liberal appropriation is recommended, which should be disbursed without any invidious distinction among the needy families of absent soldiers, whether volunteers or conscripts.
On the subject of distilleries and the retailing of spirits, the
Governor says:
‘
"I recommend that authority be given for distillation of alcohol or spirits, which may be needful for medical uses within the
State, and also, for whatever reasonable amount may be found to be the just proportion of
Alabama, for a like purpose in the Confederate army.
By confining the distilleries to localities where grain is abundant; fixing a reasonable price for the spirits; restraining by adequate penalties the parties engaged in the business, and those who may purchase from them for medical supplies, it is believed this object may be obtained without serious diminution of the supply of grain.
And I recommend that the retailing of spirituous liquors in any city, town, or neighborhood, where State or Confederate troops may be stationed or rendezvoused, be prohibited during their sojourn, and that stringent regulations be adopted to accomplish this result."
’
On the subjects of the Conscript law and the
State militia, he says:
‘
"But whatever doubts may have arisen as to the powers of Congress, all agree that the public exigency demanded the adoption of the most stringent measures to preserve the efficiency and increase the strength of the army."
’
A reorganization of the
State militia is considered indispensable, and a change in the military code is recommended, by which it will be made to embrace as militia all able-bodied male citizens of the
State, above the age of sixteen and under the age of sixty years, who may not be actually engaged in the
Confederate service.
