The Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, Mississippi • Page 1

nYCY nE CLAKIOX, Established 1837. 1 JrATK MLEIMJEB, Established 187 1. JACKSON. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1890. VOL.

42. THEf APPROPRIATION BILL. SHOTS AT THE MEMBERS. STATE AND NATIONAL BANKS. Smith, of Simpson, works without noise.

He hag never made a speech, but has done some industrious committee work. He will return home with the consciousness of having done his duty. Griffin, of Hinds, is a "diamond in the' rough," not showy, but intelligent and substantial. Coming fresh from his people he knows their wants and gives them his best attention. Brown, of Marshall, is one of the workers of the House, applying the same principles to legislation that he follows at home.

His labors in committees, and in the House, has done much to prevent ill-advised legislation. In tha last Legislature Abbay of Tunica won the tille of "Chief of the Chickasaws," because of his bold opposition to the bill reducing the interest on the Chickasaw school fund, and the indications are that he will again have the opportunity to distinguish himself on the same line. THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT. BROOKIIAVEN CHARTER. One of the most important bills of a local nature that has before the present Legislature is the House Bill now pending in the 8enate to amend the charter of the city of Brookhaven.

For years Brookhaven has been afflicted with a municipal government of the same stripe as the old McGill government of this city. Among the worst law-breakers of the town are those charged with the preservation of the law and order. The town has also had an expensive as well a3 an inefficient administration. Of $2072.00 collected the last fiscal year for revenue purposes, $1,557.30 were paid to the mayor, and treasurer as salaries and commissions, and the same policy has flourished for years. The Democratic citizens of the town have sought relief at the hands of a Democratic Legislature, rather, as they say, than "resort to methods of unpleasant ness," or quietly submit to existing abuses.

The only active opponents of the passage of the bill are Mayor Brennan and his aldermen (who have never taken any action condemning the mayor and marshal), the kinsmen of the mayor and all the Republicans of the city. There are not fifteen men on the counter petition that supported the Democratic ticket in the last election, we learn. The three leading objects of the bill are to secure a reduction of salaries; to secure good officials by appointment of the Governor; and to provide for the issuance of bonds for the erection of white and colored public school buildings, the town at present not owning any school building, for either color. We hope the Senate will pass the bill and give the Democrats and good citizens of the town the much needed relief. IliLF HOUR IN THE SENATE.

Senator Taylor, from the Fifth District, can state a proposition as clearly and ad-Tocate it as ably as any member of the Senate. is a young man, bat one of eat force of character, whose extreme courtesy always gives him respectful attention when he arises to speak. Senator Jno. R. Cameron, from the Twenty-Third District, is the Chesterfield of the Senate, and one of its ablest members, ne looks, and is, every inch a man.

He has views of his own and always has the courage to express them. He speaks rarfclv, hot always to the point. He ha3 the entire confidence of his constituents and colleagues. Senator Dillard is the "Old Roman'' of the Senate, a regular gladiator, and enjoys a fight in the arena as much as would Sparticns. But he is hot so mad as he appears when on his feet, and is really a good legislator, having both experience and ability.

He is always aggressive and erer ready to assert himself. 1 Senator Dodds, as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and as a watchful and prudent member, is adding to the laurels he has heretofore won. lie is one of the ablest debaters in the Senate, has keen perception and always sees the good or bad features of each bill presented. Senator Henry, a lineal descendant the great Virginia orator, has on every occasion, shown his ability to discuss the most difficult propositions with the ablest members. He is one of the youngest Senators the State ever had, and one of the best.

Of bright mind, thorough education and legal training, he is well quipped for the duties of Senator. Senator Martin has won the title off "Nestor of the Senate," and his age and ability entitle him to the honor. He is one of the most independent men of the times, aad is always willing to give his reasons "for the faith that is in him," regardless of criticism or consequences. He hews to the line, as he sees it, on all publio questions. Senator Hicks has been silent during the session, but he is quite a fluent speaker, and when he arises to speak the Senate will be charmed with his eloquence.

He is a classical, cultivated, modest but posi-tire gentleman, slow to reach a conclusion, bat when once his mind is made up, he is as determined as one of Napoleon's Old Guard. He is a fit representative of the Banner Democratic County of the State. Property of Shareholders Exempted. From Taxation. The bill introduced in the Senate by Senator Dean for the taxation of shares in banks, State and National, has been so emasculated by amendments as to make it practically a bill for the exemption of such stock from taxation.

If the bill as originally drawn is fair and just, imposing no greater tax upon that character of property than is by law imposed on other property, no one would, or should object to it. If it can be shown to be unfair, imposing unequal taxes upon such shares no one should sup 'port it, but it would not follow that if the bill is unfair in fixing too great a tax it should be amended so as to err in the opposite direction and exempt from proper taxation the holders of such. share. The effort ought to be to fix a fair and just tax upon such property; one not greater and not less than that borne by the owners of other property. I propose to attempt in this article to support two propositions.

First, That the scheme of taxation as provided by this bill as originally prepared and introduced is fair and just; and secondly that the bill as amended and passed by the Senate is unjust, in that it is an exemption of shares in bank stock from its due proportion of taxes. The subject is thrown at once into confusion when the bank and the shareholders are treated as identical. The bank is one thing, the owners of its shares are another. We begin at the beginning, and to begin there, it is necessary to note that the bill does not levy any tax oa the property of the bank. The tax levied is npon the individual shareholder, it is collected through the bank for the simple that in this manner of collection it is impossible for any shareholder to conceal the fact of ownership of stock.

The law simply makes the bank colleet from each shareholder his proportion of taxes while the payment is made by the bank; it pays not for itself; but for the shareholders and by the act itself is given a lien upon the shares for the taxes it has paid. The act simply compels the bank to pay as agent for the shareholders the taxes assessed against them, and to protect the bank against loss declares that it shall have a lien upon the shares for repayment of the taxes it has advanced. Does any sensible man believe that any bank would lose a dollar by reason of the fact that it advances the money to pay the taxes of its shareholders? Are not the shares worth many times more than the annual taxes thereon? If so, what risk is there to the bank in making the payments as required by the bill. We have mow progressed this far: The law is not unjustin levying a tax upon the banks, for in fact it does not tax them one dollar. Let us now inquire whether any injustice is done to the shareholder.

The tax assessed by the act is the same as that assessed by the general law on all other property subject to taxation; not a dollar more and not a dollar less, and the sum of the tax is found by the same standard as is applied in other cases, viz: The value of the property, to be fixed according to law. The tax then against the shareholder is not greater than the tax against any other citizen owning property of equal value. If it is an unjust tax it is because it is unjust to tax the shareholder in a bank to the same extent that other property holders are taxed. I have not undertaken to reply to a proposition of that sort; I would like much to know however why peculiar privileges are claimed by or in behalf of owners ot bank shares. A owns a thousnnd dollars in bank stock on which he receives dividends of ten per cent, per annum: 15 has a thousand dollars which he puts at interest and receives ten per cent, per annum.

Upon what just ground can it be that A's bank shares shall be exempt from paying the same taxes as are demanded of B's money I submit that it rests upon A or his friends to disclose the equity of his claim to exemption. My second proposition is that the bill as amended, unjustly exempts from taxation the property of such shareholders. I apprehend that Senators were led to support the amendments by dealing with the bill as one taxing banks, instead of one taxing shareholders in banks. The amendment provides that the value of the shares when listed for taxation shall be decreased by whatever sum the bank shall have invested in non-taxable securities. In other words, though the value of A's bank stock is one thousand dollars, it shall not be assessed at that sum if the bank has invested a part of its capital in non-taxable securities.

But it should be remembered is not the bank; he does not own the nontaxable securities. The act as I have shown levies no tax on the bank; it is exempt from a property tax whether its capital is or is not in non-taxable securities. The bill taxes A's property not the banks, and why A should be entitled to a dimunition of his taxes because the bank which is not taxed has its property so invested, passes comprehension. -Lei me illustrate. lends one thousand dollars: If is solvent then must pay taxes on his note given for the loan.

Now suppose is solvent, but only by reason of the fact that he owns ten thousand dollars in non-taxable securities. Is this any reason why A should be exempt from taxation on his loan, and yet but for the non-taxable securities held by B's debt would be worthless and therefore non taxable. The argument is simply this: "The says the shareholder, "exempts Certain securities from taxation; 1 do not own any such securities but the bank in which I am a shareholder does, and its exemption ought to be imputed to me and exempt it and me." Tho reply is the scheme, of taxation is to make all property not exempt by law pay its equal proportion of taxes. Bank snares are personal property and are not exempt by law from taxation. The bill as amended operates to exempt them, and since the taxes which they are freed from must be made up by increasing the taxes on other property, the exemption is unfair and unjust.

A word upon another matter dealt with by the act as originally drawn. By its provisions a privilege tax was levied of one half of the usury charged by the bank the preceding year. Basks are the creatures of the Legislature. An implied condition of their txistance is that they shall conform to the law of their being. A (art of this law is that they shall not charge more than the legal rate of interests, and whenever they violate this law they are without the functions they were created to perform: We know that there are violations of the usury laws by banks.

The question is how shall such violation's be restricted. The reply is that by the simple provision of requiring them to pay into the State Treasury a large per cent of the usury so taken. If it is desirable that the practice (should continue this provision was properly, struck from the bill, but if on the other hand it be disirable to limit the evli, no simpler way can be found to reach the desired end. A bank which has not charged usurious interest pays nothing; those that have, are not entitled to the sympathy of the people nor to protection in that evil course by legislative power. Z.

Different Characteristics ofOur Legislators. Thomas, of Washington, is one of the best lawyers of the House, and a legislator of decided ability. As a speaker he is forcible and logical. Pelham, of Jackson, is ever alert, allowing no measure to escape his vigilant ear and keen eye. He is an authority on coast matters.

Vardaman, of is the of the House. He has read every thing, and his mind is well stored with historical and current events. His powers of illustration are remarkable. Shelby, of Bolivar, impresses every one as a most substantial and reliable member. He gives the greater part of his time to Delta matters, but keeps posted on all questions before the House.

Hon. J. R. Stowers is one of the most independent members of the House, and hasn't a particle of demagogery in his composition. He acts out his convictions and speaks his sentiments at ail times, and there is no man in Lafayette county that can beat him in a race before the people.

He is an honor to his county and State. Hon. J. B. Clarke, is a clerical-looking gentleman, frank, open-hearted and sincere.

He is not a noisy member, but as true to the interest of his people as the needle is to the poll. Reagan is the brunet of the Legislature. Jones, of Panola, is "the ladies man" of the House, and if report be true has lost his heart since coming to Jackson. Graves, of Alcorn is dressy and gallant but no dude. Cotten, of Holmes, is always" in his seat ana serves his people to the best of his ability.

Williamson, of DeSoto, is ever urbane and agreeable. He accomplishes his work without glare or glitter, and rarely worries the House with a speech; but for solid worth no member excels him. Washington, of Oktibbeha, is an intelligent painstaking member, and is always able to take care of himself in debate. Denton, of Laudedale, is a stalwart cf the stalwarts, and a true and worthy Representative, endowed with a plentiful supply of good common sense. Diiwobth, of Monroe, is the patriarch of the House, beloved at home and esteemed abroad.

He is serving his second term and could have the place for life if he would accept. Such men are by no means common. Gewin, of Kemper, is one of the real solid members, who devotes himself almost exclusively to the interests of his people. Leqgett, of Pike, ever as genial as a sunbeam, is always in his seat. His county never had a more attentive or laborious representative.

Peyton, of Hinds, has distinguished himself by his opposition to the Insurance Trust, and when he arises to speak on that measure he will make the "fur fly." Rogebs, of Tishomingo, keeps a weather eye on the business of the House and the rulings of the speaker. He is a most intelligent gentleman and a faithful repre-sntfttiv Cook, of Coahoma, is one of the finest orators of the House and one of its most progressive and intelligent members. His speeches contain ideas rather than words. Col. Reid of Holmes, is the most venerable-looking member of the house.

An excellent gentleman. Hon. J. A. Cooper, of Quitman.can out-talk any six men in the Legislature, and yet he really addresses the House.

Cooper is a sii generis- Dan. Taylor, of Wayne, is the jolhest Repiesentative in the lower House. He knows nothing of dull care. Major Terry, of Attala, is the "Old Youth" of the House. To know him is to love him.

S. S. Hudson, of Yazoo, is one of the brightest members, and when he speaks the House is willing to listen. Alexander, of Prentiss, is the Tall Sycamore of the House. His experience as an old member gives him an advantage over many others.

Draughn, of Perry, is the small member but he occasionally makes a loud noise. He stands by the rights of his peo- PlEd. Watson, of Marshal, hasa smile for every one, and an ear for the interests of his people. Dr. McSwine looks like a Greek patrician.

He is an experienced legislator, an intelligent, courteous gentleman and a fine companion. Foxworth, of Marion is a quiet, sedate member, by no means showy but solid as as the rock of Gibraltar. Evans, of Harrison, has a keen appreciation of the ridiculous and enjoys life as the hours go by. He is a good speaker. Judge Currie, of Smith, will astonish the House, when he arises to speak.

He ha9 not displayed his promise yet. Kelly, of Yazoo, knows how to make a centre shot when he arises to speak. Ha is a most attentive member. Hon. J.

H. Brabston, of Warren, can be counted on in every emergency. His county never had a more faithful Repre- J. H. Beeman, of Scott, is looked to by the farming element as a leader worthy to be followed.

He is always level-headed, prudent and conservative, McLeod, of Greene, is the serious member, and always looks like he might have just returned from his mother-in-laws funeral. Gen. Sham is accorded leadership when parliamentary battles are to be fought. He always makes the Millsabs, of Copiah is not the saint he looks. He is a jolly fellow and enjoys a joke more than any member.

Dr. Gunn, of Clay, knows what to say when he arises to address the House, and knows how to say it. Roberts, of Leake, is a most painstaking and industrious member, and is never forced to the necessity of asking what is under consideration. He always knows. Loflin, of Rankin, is the youngest looking member for bis age.

He is forty-two years old. He fought through the war, enlisting when he was fourteen, and was mustred out as a Captain, eighteen years of age. Though yonng in appearance, he has seen much of the world, and has shown his ability as a legislator. Bizzell, of Tate, is an unpretentious member, who never pushes himself before the House. He has several times represented his county in the Legislature and his services have always given satisfaction his people.

Conger, of Carroll, is a most reliable and energetio member, who knows the wishes of his people, and labors hard to carry them out. He has introduced several very important bills of general interest to the farming community. Liberal Provision Made for the Different Institutions. The Appropriation bill will be on the desks of memters this morning. Following is a general summary of the bill For the support of the Lunatic Asylum at Jaekson For the year 1S90 00 For the year 1891 00,000 00 For the support of the East.

Mississippi Insane Asylum: For the year 1890...... 37,624 61 For the year 1891.... 32,250 00 For salary Superintendent East Mississippi Insane Asylum For the year 1890... 1,800 00 For the year 1891 1,800 00 For the Deaf and Dumb Asylum For the year 1890 19,343 72 For the year 1891 16,371 93 For support of the Blind Alylum For the year 1890 7,930 00 For the year 1891 6,700 00 For salary of Superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum at Jackson For the year 1890....... 2,500 00 For the year 1891 2.500 00 For expenses of thi mmhi the State Board of Registration not residing at the capital For the year 1890 20 0D For the year 1891 20 00 For clerk of the supreme court: or the year 1890 250 00 For the year 1891 250 00 For books and blanks for the snpreme court: For the year 1890 100 00 For the year 1891 100 00 For porter to the capitol For the year 1890.........

300 08 For the year 1891 300 00 For stationery, postage and express charges for the departments, fuel and gas for the capitol building and contingent fund for all State officers except fer Governor For the year 1890 3,000 00 For the year 1891 3,500 00 For salary of the superintendent of the penitentiary For the year 1890 1,200 00 For the year 1891 1,200 00 For traveling expenses of the Superintendent of the Penitentiary: For the year 1890 250 00 For the year 1891.... 250 00 For the support of Alcorn University including interest en the Agricultural Land Scrip Fund: For the year 1890 9,500 00 For the year 1891...... 9,500 00 For the support of the State Nor-School at Ilolly Springs: For the year 1890 2,500 00 For the year 1891 2,500 00 For the support of the Normal Department of Tougaloo University: For the year 1890... 1,500 00 For the year 1891 1,500 00 For printing the several reports of the departments and the benevolent institutions, laws and journals, all other printing and advertising ordered by theLeg-islaturefor the session of 1890 and for miscellaneous printing: For the year 1890 13,500 00 For the year 1891 7,000 00 For salary of the Secretary of the State Beard of Election Ccra-r 'missioner: For the year 1890...:........:..:.. 1-50 00 For the year 150 00 For Contigent Expenses of the ucunic IAS For Contingent Expenses of the House 1,000 00 For salary of Railroad Commis-eioneis, pay of clerk, traveling expenses of Commissioners: For the year 1890 9,500 00 or tne year 1891 UU For traveling expenses of the Board of control of the Penitentiary: For the year 1890....

230 00 For the year 1891 250 00 For contingent fund for the Executive: For the year 1890... 2,500 00 For the year 1891 2,500 00 For support of the Agricultural and Mechanical College at Stark ville: For the year 1890 33,000 00 For the year 1891 29,000 00 For Library for 1890 2,000 00 Far building president's residence 2,500 00 For support of the Industrial Institute and College at Columbus: For the year 1890 26,000 00 For the year 1891 a 24,000 00 For the Natchez Hospital: For the yer 1890 5,000 00 For the year 1891 5,000 00 For interest on the Chickasaw School Fund at percentum per annum: For the year 1890 48,997 02 For the year 1891 43,997 02 For salary of Librarian and Keeper of the Capitol: For the year 1890 1,080 00 For the year 1891 1,080 00 or support of the hospital at Vicksburg: For the year 1890 10,000 00 For the year 1891 10,000 00 Senator Fairly has introduced a timely resolution relating to the 'archives" in the capitol. They are certainly in a state of chaos. We hope the committee appointed, will recommend the disposal of the immense accumilation of aseless documents, that are weighting down the floors such for instance, as several thousand copies of the Code of 1871. There are several car-loads of such plunder, that would be readily bought by the Paper Mills.

A business letter from a subscriber in Water Valley concludes as follows: ''If yon can, secure some modification of the Insurance Law. The whole country is praying heartily for the benefit of protection against the carelessness of policyholders and 'wild cat' companies. So few companies make the deposit of $25,000 that it is easy for them to combine and increase rates, which they certainly have done in our A Mississippi company can do business without making the $25,000 deposit. What is to prevent a New York company from organizing a "dummy," located in some small town in this State, receiving the the lossesin fact owning the company in its entirety, ostensibly managed by Mississippians, but controlled by outsiders? Bjemzmbeb, that one of the strongest arguments in favor of repealing the insurance deposit law is that the insurance companies and their agentsoppose it. Senator Walthall Expresses Himself Regarding: It.

The introduction in our Slate Legislature of the memorial to Congress for the repeal of the Fifteenth Amendment (meaning the disfranchisement of the negro) has naturally awakened very considerable interest in the question and the opinions of our publio men, especially those who are clothed with responsible trusts, are eagerly sought. On this very subject Senator Walthall has recently spoken. In his speech in the senate on the race problem, delivered January 27th, 1890, he said: "If I be told that what I proposed, 'unity of the white at best can prove but a temporary expedient and that there are difficulties in the way of its successful working even for a time, I can only say that I find some of the same and many greater difficulties, in all the so-called solutions and remedies which have been proposed by others and with less promise of even temporary relief. A number of such propositions have been pressed upon publio attention with more or less confidence by their authors, and some of them have been received with favor by many of those upon the evil discussed most sorely presses. In their extremity they seize upon every straw of help or hope and every crumb of comfort comes from any source, forgetting that no promise of practical relief has yet been held out by those who have the power of fulfilment.

Some theorists, ignoring the practical aspects of the subject, some students in their closets, speaking through the publio prints, and even some public men and editors of high standing and ability have commenced to agitate the question of disfranchisement. (Repeal of Fifteenth Amendment.) They suggest this remedy with a vagueness which makes it the more misleading, for they do not discuss the obstacles which make what they propose impracticable. They tell us that those responsible for negro suffrage have come to look upon it as a great national blunder, and they cite some of their loose declarations and some paragraphs in the liberal press as showing sympathy for the chief sufferers from the consequences of that blunder and the readiness of those who committed it to correct the evil, when they must know that such expressions have not a feather's weight against the settled policy of the party in power, proclaimed in a thousand forms, to which all its leaders are unalterably committed and which can not be abandoned without surrendering the most tangible result of the war and openly confessing failure in that party's mission. They remind us that in the District of Columbia, "the center of African intelligence," with a Republican President in power and a two-thirds Republican majority in both Houses of Congress, negro suffrage was struck down by law because it had so corrupted and degraded politics as to endanger every interest under the municipal government in Washington, as if that had not been accomplished by a power which can not be exerted in any State. To a people whose dangers are imminent and their necessities urgent there is but little comfort in the suggestion that relief may come through a constitutional amendment, which must be proposed by a two thirds vote of both Houses of Congress and ratified by three-fourths of the states, when both these houses and most of the states are controlled by the party whose cherished policy it is sought to reverse.

Kind, Generous Words. The editor of the Clabion-Ledgeb returns his warmest thanks to the State press for complimentary mention, the following being among the best he has received: New Mississippian The re-election of Mr. R. H. Henry as public printer, is certainly a compliment of the highest personal character.

Indeed, few men have ever made a successful fight against such odds. His opponents, Messrs Banks and McNeily were men occupying most enviable positions in journalistic and political circles; besides being possessed of the greatest personal popularity and representing two hitherto invincible sections east and west Mississippi. The mistake, which in our opinion, proved a fatal one, was that of over-zealous friends injecting into the canvass very serious charges against his character as a man and official, which the majority of the people believed-to be without basis, and from which his re-election proves a vindication. Tupelo Ledger The election for State Printer was a deserved compliment and victory for R. H.

Henry, the present incumbent, The vote stood 67 to 78 in his favor, notwithstanding the combined forces of some of the shrewdest politicians in the State were against him, and used every means in their power to defeat him. Hinds county's representation in the Constitutional Convention should be composed of such men as Judge Wiley P. Harris, Judge J. A. P.

Campbell, Judge 8. S. Calhoon, Col. W. L.

Nugent, Hon. E. Barksdale, Ex.Gov. Robert Lowry, Hon. T.

A. McWillie, or Judge David Shelton. All of these gentlemen are residents of Jackson, but the Gazette is so impressed with the importance of the question to be settled by the Constitutional Convention, that it would lay aside personal preferences and advocate any four of them for the place of delegates. The great county of Hinds, in this hour of supremest importance, cannot afford to take any risk. She must see that men of first-class ability only are eletod, Raymond Gazette.

Senatob Cam ebon says that his friends cannotand his enemies shall not, bother him. Cameron is big enough to be Governor, and his friends yet hope to see him reach that proud eminence. 1j2T them read. To the persons who continue to fight over the battle for State Printer, when all personal feeling should be forgotten, the following is commended from the Corinth Sub-Soiler and Demacrat If a body of human beings can do anything of a wordly nature, which would savor at all of a righteous deed, the Legislators of Mississippi who voted for and re-elected the noble, manly R. H.

Henry State Printer, surely put themselves square ly on record in that direction. It was emphatically the right thing. It was simply a highly deserved endorsement, and we are more than gratified, if such a thing could be, that he was victorious. It ought to bring a blush of shame to the cheek of any intelligent man, to catch himself even no more than just thinking that R. H.

Henry would undertake to rob "Mississippi, when the assembled wisdom of the State had to sit in judgment on his acts. But when it comes to coining those thoughts into words, and attempting to stain a spotless character with the charge of fraud, when there is no fraud, right then if the blush which should mantle the cheek of the accusers, were to scorch, and scar the their consciences would certainly be awakened to the fact that something was wrong. It is over with, however, for the present, and the re. election of R. H.

Henry bursts the charges of actual or intended fraud into fragments, so infinitesimally small that ten thousand of them could dance a jig in the hull of a mustard seed without The Sardis Reporter favors letting the public printing out to the lowest bidder, but says the law should not go into effect till after the expiration of the term of the present incumbent. Some people, including a few Representatives who opposed the election of the State Printer, want the law to go into effect during the present term. A Mississippi Lagislature will never do an act so manifestly unjust. The inoumbent is 'indifferent as to whether the work is let out to the lowest bidder or the office retained, but he will oppose any effort to make the law effective until the third Monday in January, 1892, when his term expires. We remind members of the Legislature that 'Insurance trusts" affect all of the men, women and children in the State.

The few companies who make the little deposit enjoy a most profitable monopoly. Years ago in the State of Virginia, the justice of the peace holding the oldest commission was made sheriff of his county. To en joy the emoluments he "farmed out the office," that is let others become responsible and perform the duties, giving him a good share. So of the $25,000 humbug. They can re-insure in reliable companies and pocket a deal of cash, but the people are the sufferers.

When the soms of Mississippi, in 1861, enlisted "for the war," it was in response to the call of the Legislature and Gov. Fettus, in his message to the Legislature, after the Confederate victories in the Bum mer of that year, said that ''the people of Mississippi will shed tears over the fallen brave who have watered the tree of liberty with their patriot blood, and will remem ber and honor their names." And the Legislature of 1890 should honor this' prediction by completing the Monument designed to perpetuate their memories and their valor. When the State appropriated $1,000 to build a monument over James Lynch, col ored, it certainly can afford to give the small amount asked for to build a monu ment over her own soldiers. The monu ment over Lynch now stands in the cemetery of this city, and tho act appropriating the money can be found on page 176, of the Acts of 1876. The resolution introduced in the House, concerning the land grant by Congress to the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad can eerve no good purpose.

We do not intend going into a discussion of this whole. matter at this time. It is known that this enterprise has struggled manfully and diligently, against all sorts of embarrassments, to build a road to our own gulf coast, through an nninviting country. Much has been done, while much et remains to be done. The grading is finished some seventy miles, bridges built, and some twenty miles ironed.

Nearly $400,000 of money has been put in the work. The road will be built in time and ought not to be embar-rased in any way by hostile legislation. The Clarion-Ledges of Thursday asked fire simple questions about the Insurance Trust of this State. Answers could have bfen made on a page of fools-cap. Prof.

R. E. Jayne, an insurance agent, 'offered to ''answer them' in a two and one-half column article. He was told the Clamon-Ledgeb would publish "answers" but not long-winded, desultory arguments in favor of the Insurance Trust. His article was declined because of its length and irrelevancy.

AH insurance agents of the State, and companies comprising the Trust, oppose the repeal of the deposit law. Prof. Jayne is no exception to the rule. They all do it. The pro rata of Washington county in the $10,000 Confederate Monument fund, which shows the largest assessed valuatton of any in the State would be less than $420.

Quitman county's would be $66.51, and that of Yalobusha, which is more than anlthat (county in would only be $108.50. A majority of the counties in the State would have less than $100 to pay and there is not a man in any of them who would object to the small pittance when he understands the insignificant amount he has to pay. Dick Hawes, convicted of the murder of bis wife and children at Birmingham, and sentenced to be hung, has confessed that while he did not commit the murder, he paid one John Wyley $200 to put his wife, and children out of the way. Wyley has been arrested and denies Hawes statement, saying it was a scheme to secure a stay of execution. Attention is called to a bill introduced in Ithe house by the Hon.

J. F. Sexton to secure the assessments of solvent credits in the State of Mississippi. This bill provides that all notes secured deeds of trusts or mortgages on personal or real estate not rendered in assessment shall be bared from suit in any court in this State for collection of same. The State is paying the Insurance companies forming the Protection Trust a yearly interest of $10,400.

Why should it pay anything to keep up this monoply; The strongest argument in favor of abolishing the insurance deposit law is that the insurance men oppose the repeal. So member need be afraid of his constituency who voted for the $10,000 appropriation to the Confederate Monument..