The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-02-08
Some Earnest Words to the Legisla,
ture,

EDITORS CLARION; | am well aware that
| communications to newspapers unless they
| have the sanction of a great name or be person.
al and scandalous are seldom read Even the
editorials of our ablest editors, if they exceed
few lines, are either lightly skinned or en-
tirely passed over by newspaper readers
Nevertheless venture to address a few seri-
GUS words to the Mississippi Legislature.
The Democratic party has now as il has had
since 1876, absolute control of the Legislature
aud of the State Government in all It's branch
es. 1t boasts, and justly boasts, that it re-
deemed the State from misrule, and placed it
upon Its present fair and open road TO pros
perity. ltclaims TO be the party of retrench-
ment and reform aud to il, as now repre-
sented in the Legislature, the people look
Tor such practical measure of retrenchment
and reform, as will perpetuate It's existence,
and give an absolute guarantee of good gov
ernnent for all time TO csme. and it will be
held responsible by the people for the blunders
and OMISSIONS, if any be made by the present
Legislature, In inaugurating or refusing to
inaugurate such measures
But what ought this Legislature to do to re-
deem the pledges made by the Democratic
party to the people. First and above all other
things, il ought TO call Convention to make
new Constitution. | shall not stop to give
the reasons why this should be done They
are patent to all, moi blinded by prejudice or
influenced by less worthy motives and are
admitted by the great majority of those who
oppose this movement.
There Is one measure of retrenchment and
reform within the power of the Legislature and |
which II Is their duty to do whether conven- |
ton be called or not, and that is the reduce |
ton OF Representatives and Senators to the |
lowest constitutional limit No man CONVEX
SAINT with the business of legi-lation, will I
deny that the people cannot and will hot be |
Is fully represented with one hundred men,
hers of the House and twenty-five or thirty I
members of the Senate as they now are and /
i ri "a nat mile nf L.
in carrying on the business Of legislation. I
but also OF retrenchment and reform. Saying /
to the state In the next two years hundreds Of +
thousands of dollars.
1t is therefore Lhe duty Of the Legislature ia
make this reform if no other; and ii they fail
. do il not only the members but the party /
viii be held responsible, and the result NAV +
De disastrous t. the best interests Of the State
NO individual aspiration, no local ieaiousles
ought to be . lowed for enc moment 10 stand
in the way Of this great measure.
In addition to these measures, which in nv
opinion, are of paramount imDorfance-tae
most hberal legislation is demanded 81 the
people protect and encourA &c the building
g railroads m the state These are the great
pioneers Of prQgress-and as there il no
state n the Union OF but few If any 50 dessi-
tute OF natural resources, except for Aoricul-
ture--as the State Of Mississippi IS no State
ought 20 be more liberal in aiding as far a. II e
can within constitutional limits IN the build
Or burdens should be placed either upon thoae
We nov have or those We hope 10 have. Give
III fair chanee-and il need be. assert fhe
sovereignty Of the State and its rfrhf 81
2 regulate the great corporations created 81
Is by general laws, defining aid nnnish,ne
antast DISCRIMINATION Il the carrviur 81
Ire ghts as exiostion. For this, believe. e the
1nly complaint now made against the roads
IS nave though even this weuld now be I'M
wise unless the new roads are exemnf frs-,
he ole sfions of such = law.
Now Aessrs. EditOrs.I doubt whether !.
.pzen members IF the Legislature viii rpaS
~ eemmnnication or heed It's sueres-I
ions. but they come from one who loves ~. Il
State and party and khe deeply and earness.
J fesls that The prosperity Of both denenTls
lpo1 alss. JudIcions sud liberal Iezis feafrr
y this Aegaslatur9 upon these subieelss nns5
nc earnestly hopes Ehat some one more ,s-
- q doing Justice 70 then, will tsks fksss -.
- prs1 them q success
DrAocaAx