Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, Mississippi • Page 27

Sunday, September 21, 1 997 The Clarion-Ledger 27 A Underground Railroad bill may broker peace I 'n "In many ways it is the quintessential American story. It is the story of people who would not be denied freedom and the story of those who would help them in acquisition of freedom, despite great odds." James Oliver Horton, co-author of In Hope of Liberty By Paul Barton Gannett News Service WASHINGTON At a time when President Clinton is trying to address anew the nation's racial divisions, a little-noticed bill in Congress could prove a starting point for bringing blacks and whites together, historians say. 1 Legislation pending in House and Senate committees would instruct the National Park Service to develop ways of commemorating, honoring and interpreting the Underground Railroad. The term refers to the system of back roads, swamps, waterways, hidden shelters and tunnels, and forests that were used to move slaves from the slaveholding states to freedom before the Civil War. As important as this shadow infrastructure were the people, the "conductors," who often risked their lives to help slaves make it to freedom.

The legislation is expected to pass easily once it reaches the House and Senate floors, and pressure is building for that to happen this fall. blacks. Those who helped move slaves to freedom were often white. "I think this commemoration is important for Americans in many ways," said James Oliver Horton, a professor at George Washington University and co-author of the newly published In Hope of Liberty. "In many ways it is the quintessential American story.

It is the story of people who would not be denied freedom and the story of those who would help them in acquisition of freedom, despite great odds." And it is a commemoration of whites and blacks working together. "To that extent it is especially 7 I I Democrats: Bonds may be in line for state party say they're financially sound Frank AugsteinThe Associated Press The mayor of Munich, Christian Ude, lifts a wooden hammer as he taps the first barrel of beer Saturday during the opening ceremony of Munich Oktoberfest. The world-famous beer festival attracts millions of international visitors annually. Beer prices hopped up at German Oktoberfest Primary movers of the legislation are Ohio Reps. Rob Portman, a Republican, and Louis Stokes, a Democrat.

Ohio harbored extensive Underground Railroad movement before the Civil War. Senate sponsors include Sens. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, and Carol Moseley-Braun, D-Ill. The measure would give the story of the railroad more national historical emphasis than it has ever enjoyed Civil rights leaders and specialists on African-American history say it is long overdue and that it should be important for whites as well as State parties By Emily Wagster Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer Both Mississippi's major political parties say they're in good financial shape after annual fund-raising efforts. State Republican Party Chairman Mike Retzer said his party made "upwards of 100 grand" Friday night from a fund-raising reception and dinner in Jackson.

And, Democratic Party Treasurer Jodie Robinson said her party made a $45,426 profit last month from its annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner. "Not only are we going to pay all the bills, we're going to have some left over," Robinson told state Democratic Executive Committee members Saturday in Jackson. Many admitted it was the first good financial news the Democrats have heard in months, if not alty, too, if they kick Gray Tollison off," Retzer said, pointing out that Tollison stood with several other Democrats in a tight Senate committee vote in August 1996 to reject Republican Gov. Kirk Fordice's four College Board nominees. "He stood by his Democrat Party associates on that critical vote, and of course they turned around and booted him off the executive committee," Retzer said.

The Democratic executive committee met for about an hour in open session before voting to close the meeting to the public. Shouting could sometimes be heard during the two-hour, closed-door sessions, with state party Vice Chairwoman Michele Wilson of Lucedale loudly gaveling and shouting for order. After emerging' from the closed meeting, William Guy of McComb, the party's other vice chairman, said there was no discussion about From 1A Democrat Bill Wheeler's unsuccessful 1994 congressional campaign, said he will accept the chairmanship if that's what the committee wants. But, "I'm not out here fighting anybody trying to be chairman," he said. Walls has been chairman since mid-1994, overseeing a party racked with infighting over power and finances.

Normally, the state chairman calls executive committee meetings. But, the chairman can be circumvented if at least 25 members petition to call a meeting. That's what happened to bring about Saturday's gathering that attracted 37 members just two more than the 35 needed to conduct business. Walls last week sent out letters calling an executive committee meeting for Oct. 4 at Tougaloo College.

The letters said Walls could not be in Jackson Saturday because he was scheduled to attend the Delta Blues Festival in Greenville, part of his Senate district. Party rules require the executive committee to meet at least once each quarter, said Eva Noblin of Scott County, one of the members who petitioned to bring about Saturday's gathering. Noblin said the executive committee needed to meet to pay bills. State Rep. Joey Grist, D-Bruce, attended Saturday's meeting and said he opposed removing Tollison from the committee.

"Gray Tollison is my senator and as good a Democrat as they come," Grist said. "No telling how much money he and his father (lawyer Grady Tollison of Oxford) have raised for this party over the years." Tollison was at a wedding Saturday and could not be reached for comment. Contacted at his home in Greenville, Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Mike Retzer said Democrats are "bankrupt of ideas." "I think they're bankrupt of loy- important when we as Americans are trying to come to grips with the (race) issue," Horton said. President Clinton this summer made a major policy speech at the University of California at San Diego on race relations and has appointed a special national commission to examine the history and status of race relations in the country. In that context, the Underground Railroad legislation becomes all the more important, scholars contend.

"It is perfect timing," said Harry Bradshaw Matthews, associate dean'and director of pluralism programs at Hartwick College in One-onta, N.Y. "We think of black and white as opposing forces, only that was never entirely the case," Matthews said. Hugh Price, president of the National Urban League, agrees. "I think it would be of enormous historic significance," he said of the legislation. "I think it would make an enormous contribution to race relations." chairmanship people who pay $10 a month to support the state party.

Other people paid $100 for the dinner or $250 to get into the dinner and a reception with Thompson and other Republican luminaries. Thompson has gained national attention the past several months as chairman of a Senate committee investigating national campaign fund-raising practices. Retzer said Mississippi Republicans are starting a fund to build their own headquarters somewhere in the metro Jackson area. The party for several years has leased space in downtown Jackson. The GOP hopes to raise $475,000 and have a building ready sometime in 1998, Retzer said.

"It's going to be a Chevy," he said. "It won't be a Cadillac." men. If the chairman is black, as is Walls, at least one of the vice chairmen must be white. Guy and Wilson are both white. Bonds is white.

If he become i chairman, at least one black vice chairman must be elected. While Guy denied Saturday that he wants to oust Walls, he said: "I'm willing to resign anytime he resigns." Erik Fleming of Jackson, the Hinds County Democratic chairman, said it's difficult to gauge what kind of support Walls has on the executive committee. "I support him as chairman if he's willing to be chairman," Fleming said of Walls. Fleming said he does not know enough about Bonds to say whether he'd make a good party leader. "If he's goingto be chairman, he's going to have to do a little more than show up at one meeting," Fleming said.

tervice by Retailer stock Of special-O'dr every item advertised. The Associated Press MUNICH, Germany Under a glorious late-summer sky, Munich Mayor Christian Ude opened the 164th annual Oktoberfest by tapping the first 53-gallon keg with three swings. Tens of thousands of beer lovers descend on Munich each year during the 16-day extravaganza to enjoy the world's biggest beer bash. Unlike last year, when beer Crime: Homicide can obtain private From 1A Home president, said employees have donated clothes and ministers on staff will conduct services in cases where families are unprepared financially or otherwise. Banks, secretary of the Mississippi Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, cautions families: "Don't go into a long-term debt for a funeral service.

Buy a funeral that is affordable." He said Peoples, which has been in business since 1925, has "never refused a family service because of inability to pay." "If the family comes in and they don't have any money we put in a call and depending on, of course the death, and what kind of financial help they need, we are able to get some donations toward funeral bills," he said. Banks said private individuals for the last two years have donated money to help poor families bury their loved ones. The people wish to remain anonymous and are known only to a select few Peoples employees, he said. Funeral cost assistance for fam Democrats boot state senator off committee, 1A years. Struggling to pay bills, the party closed its Jackson headquarters for several months late last year and early this year.

The headquarters has reopened, and executive committee members Saturday agreed to pay a list of bills for office supplies, computer repairs and other operating expenses. Democrats paid $100 per ticket for the Jefferson-Jackson dinner last month in Jackson, with Attorney General Mike Moore as featured speaker. U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, spoke Friday night at the United Republican Fund dinner.

Retzer said tickets were $35 for ousting Walls. "I have made it clear to the committee that I will not make any move to remove Johnnie," said Guy, who has a history of disputes with Walls and challenged him for the chairmanship in June 1996. Walls was promoted to state Democratic chairman in mid-1994 after a faction that included then-Vice Chairwoman Noblin banded together to oust Ed Cole. At the time, Noblin and others said Cole was doing a poor job managing party politics and finances. Walls has come under similar criticism.

A committee appointed by Guy last year fired the party executive director Walls had hired 22 months earlier. Guy and Walls got into a shouting match at a Democratic meeting earlier this year. State Democratic Party rules call for a chairman and two vice chair $309.99 without.) (j 099 $7 per Month cellular W-e-'nrcrk-e prices stayed steady, this year's brew price has jumped 90 pfennigs to a record high of 10.90 marks, the equivalent of $6.15 for a quart-sized mug. A novelty at this year's festival is a beer-drinking Tamagotchi-like virtual pet designed especially for the Oktoberfest. Last year's festival drew 6.9 million visitors and organizers expect a similar number this year.

victims' families and public aid ilies of homicide victims is also available through the Mississippi Crime Victims Compensation Act. The victims compensation program also helps families and victims of violent crimes with lost wages and counseling. Phyllis Thomas of Jackson said the state's program helped with her sister's funeral in July. The program paid the maximum $3,500 for funeral costs. Thomas' sister, Angela Parker, 36, of Jackson died July 21 after she was attacked in her Hartfield Street home.

The mother of three was stabbed six times, sustained blunt trauma to the head and was choked. "With the way my parents wanted to bury her, it was a problem financially," Thomas said. "The cost of burial is just staggering. They charge you for combing their hair to picking up the body and taking it to the funeral home. They even charge for putting makeup on their face." For help, families of crime victims can call the Crime Victim Compensation Program at 359-6766 locally or 1-800-829-6766.

two in that time." Ferrell said McMillin has taken some good-natured kidding from other sheriffs about his new salary. "The sheriff of Hinds County deserves to be paid a CEO salary," Ferrell said. Ferrell said his salary increased from $50,000 to $60,000 under the pay raise bill. "I don't think it should be based on population," Ferrell said of sheriff pay. Ferrell said the raise helps, but more needs to be done to increase the professional level the jobs demands.

The pay raise has "got us on the road of recovery," he said. Ferrell, past president of the Mississippi Sheriffs Association and current vice president of the National Sheriffs Association, said pay for sheriffs in Mississippi still isn't up to par with sheriffs in neighboring states, including Louisiana and Georgia. Some sheriffs are paid more than $100,000 in Louisiana and Georgia, Ferrell said. Jackson County Sheriff Pete Pope said most Mississippi sheriffs are dedicated and knew the pay when they sought the job. Pope's salary increased from $53,000 to $70,000.

"I have never lobbied for a pay raise, but I certainly will accept it," Pope i.d. -ce licr I Sheriffs: More money means more professional law officers Is all the fine print of cellular service making you hesitate? Come into RadioShack today. Where cellular is simple to understand, simple to have. Our experts make it so easy, it's elementary. Nokia phone with car lighter adapter ($33998 value.) Use names to recall phone numbers eliminates guesswork and misdialing.

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Nobody calls a clerk at night," McMillin said. The Mississippi Sheriffs Association lobbied for the pay raise, saying the last sheriffs' pay raise was four years ago when sheriffs got a $10,000 raise. "I think everybody should be happy," McMillin said. Hinds County supervisors included McMillin's new salary in the county's 1997-98 budget year. Before the current raise, some sheriffs made more money than McMillin by receiving extra pay through local and private legislation, McMillin said.

The original goal of the sheriffs association was to bring the lowest-paid county sheriffs up to a minimum standard, Adams County Sheriff Tommy Ferrell Jr. said. Sheriffs' salaries had ranged from $37,600 in counties with populations under 7,500 up to $53,200 for counties with 200,000 population. Utica resident Percy Lee Terrell supports McMillin's and other sheriffs' raises. "They have a dangerous job," Terrell said.

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