The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1882-03-02

none, In fact, worthy of attention.
Do the colored people take as
much interest in politics as insfor7
lner years? 4 # III ~
" They DO not. They are disposed
to have less 70 do withpolitics, be-
cause the Democratic, give them a
better and less expensive govern
ment than the Republicans gave
them, and the recognition of. this
fact is having its influence with
them, A great many Of. the better
classiof eolored people are acqnirin9
property, and-vsaresaanxious to. haxe
the government efficiently and eco
nomically administered.
What effect would the success Of
an Independent movement, support
ed by. the Republicans, have upon
the progress and development of
your State? 49, f.. w..
I think it would be very detrimen-
tai to the best interests of the State.
say this for the reason that rs per
cent of Fusion party, made up of
Independents and Republicans,
would be. negroes and they would
have to be recognized in the distri-
button of offices. The negroes are
yet ignorant, and there would con-
sequently be Encouragement, ex-
travagance and all the evils which
attend the administration of govern
ment by those who neither under
stand their duties nor feel the res
possibility which rests upon them.
The State is now steadily growing
more prosperous and her resources
are being developed more rapidly
than ever before. The progress Of
the State would at once be arrested
if the direction of public affairs
should be entrusted to ignorant and
incompetent persons. snn ...
Within the last two years have
there been any we'll authenticated
complaints of violence or intimida-
ton? 3d.. ...s
Not that / am aware of; nor has
anything of the kind been mention
ed to me by my predecessor.
Does the prevailing sentiment in
your State favor free trade or pro-
lection? ..-....
This matter has not yet promi-
nently presented itself to our peo
pie as an issue, but it no doubt will
as our manufacturing interests in
crease. just now 1 would hesitate
about expressing an opinion wheth-
err the majority OF our people favor
the doctrine ofprotection or not.
Are your people in favor of gov
eminent aid to internal improve
ments, and particularly to the i'm
provement OF the Mississippi river2
They are. think there is no iii
vision of sentiment relative to the
necessity and Importance of improv-
ing the Mississippi. river, and they
hold that it is the duty of the gen~
eral government to perform this
work as quickly and as thoroughly
as possible. In fact, the feeling
with regard to this matter is posi-
tive and aggressive. t.. {
FINANCIAL MATTERS
What is the general financial con-
ditiOn of your State?
1t is excellent. All evidences of
indebtedness command par. IL
What is the entire amount of your
bonded debt?
One hundred thousand dollars,
which bears interest at the rate of
per cent, 1927. $50 five per cent.
bonds, due .J.nnary 1st, 1896, and
$4,000 four per cent bonds, due
January 1st, 1890. We have the
money to pay our bonds, but can
not get them at any reasonable
price.
Is the interest on your bonds
paid promptly?
Yes.
What is the present market value
of your bonds?
Eight per cent bonds from 3 to 3
per cent above par.
What is the amount Of your float
ing debt?
There arc $50, 235 AZ of outstana-
ing warrants. The money is ready
to pay them, however, as soon as
they are presented.
What was the amount of money
in your treasury, for all purposes, on
January 81, 1882?
$545, LOG %.
What is the assessed value of
your real and personal property?
Real property, $79,7l2,s51; per-
sonal property, $35. 437, 800. The
total assessment is $l15,150,l2O.
What is the rate of taxation?
Three mills for State purposes.
There is q constitutional limitation
which prohibits counties from levy
ing tax for county purposes which,
with the State tax, will exceed lif-
teen mills.
What is the amount of your an
nual revenue from licenses and from
sources other than from real and
personal property? (
The liquor license yields 1874, 100
and from other sources than the tax
on assessed property the sum Of
$37G,356 10 is derived.
What are the yearly expenditures
Of your State government for the
public debt; for public schools; for
public charitable Institutions; for
levees or public improvements and
for general expenses?
For public debt last year $l6,-
$50 so. Next year the amount will
not be so large, for the reason that
some Of the bonds have been paid.
For public schools about 100000;
for charitable institutions, 1888, $50.
In this. however, is included the
sum of $4,000 for a new building
for the blind. For general expcn-
SEES, $4S1, 2S4 So. This includes ali
expenditures except those mention
ed above and the interest on the
bonds. There is nothing appropri-
ated for levees. The counties in
which the levees are located, provide
for them.
Are taxes paid promptly?
As rule they are.
Do your tax laws secure equality
| and unifnrmitv in assessmant2