American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-06-28
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
CANTON, Miss, June 25, 1877

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{ To the Editor of the Cit-en:
: In some stricturessupon the pro
ceedings of the city fathers. touch
ing the increase Of the Mayors san
airy, L stated in hast Saturday
issue, that the number Of cases OF
the criminal docket of the city
tried by Mayor Powell, during hi
last year, was ITO: This was liter
ally true :; but, at the time of max
ing my estimate, my attention wa'
not directed to the fact, that tOal
months of said year, embracing tbs
yellow fever epidemic, the Mayors
court was virtually closed. Ehere
were but eight cases tried during
that period. 1t 70 fair to conclude
If this sad event had not occurred
staying alike the march OF crime
and the lash of justice the num-
Der of cases tried would have reach
ed l50. This, upon my method Of
calculating, bias brought down the
increase of the Mayors salary FROM
525 to 425 dollars.
Having discovered this error. 1
feel no hesitation in correcting it
Though the writer's naturei,lemands
that he should criiicise erring Off
Gals with something of severity.
still he would not violate the ninth
commandment in hrs d-a 'ings with
them. He would not hurl a pois-
ened arrow even at his bI,terest
enemy, much less at gentlemen
against whom he has no ''private
griefs" to dvenge, no ''ancient
grudge" to crafty. ] would not
IN the slightest particular dispar-
age those whom the people have
so recently honored with their suff
rage and their confidence. I am
thoroughly disinterested and i'm
partial. 81 have no friends to
reward and no enemies to punish"
I have not even an axe to grind.
In fact, I consider myself in proper
judicial condition to decide the case
of the People versus the Office
holders, and here is the OpiMon of
the court:
In the language of Gen. Grant Oh
one of the few occasions when bis
words were wise enough to be re-
would say to the Office
holders, sit is time to unload"
Our people are poor, very poor.
Industry is paralized and general
distress pervates both town and
country. Labor is literally in rags
and wretchedness-so poverty
stricken that even blood sucking
capital avoids its presence. Let
the city fathers show, by substan
tial acts, that they are not step
fathers, but are in real sympathy
with their children. Lee them
listen to the plaintive '.song of the
Shirt" sung by SO many of our
sewing women, as they stitch,
stitch. sticth, in poverty, hanger
and want" Their tears and sobs,
as they look up0nther half-clad
and baif-fed children is an index
to the general distress around us.
Again say. lit is time to unload"
Elevate yourselves to the platform
of genuine refnrmers. Repeal the
ordinance granting fancy salaries
to Mayor aud Marshal. Leave the
eighteen hundred dollars. thus
used, in the pockets of those to
whom they rightfully belong No
this money. Put THESE officers
upon the perquisites of their respec-
tive Offices: these are ample cons
pensatiOu for every service renders
ed and even these should be
reduced 10 the rates prescribed by
the State law for justices and COn-
stables. 1t is better to follow the
guidance of the Legislature in this
matter, than your own private
Judgment. That body, in regula-
ting fees, are free from the influence
of those who are to be benefited.
In conclusion: do not seek to
Justify ourselves by referring to
tho example of your predecessors.
Error is never sancti6ed by age,
however hoary. 1t is a maxim OF
the common Law, that ga bad usage
should be abOlished.' Improve
upon your predecessors, and then
improve upon yourselves. Let
your march he onward and upward.
"Make each day Grille on the
last" Tread not in the footsteps
of your predecessors, however lis
lustriOus, if they have unfortunate-
~ fallen into the habit of bestOwing
the peoples money upon favorites.
when no services are rendered as
Is consideration therefor. After
you have said your prayers tO>night
and gone to rest, free from the
agitating cares and passions Of the
day, ask yourselves, what services
the Mayor and Marshal perform
for the salaries they receive which