The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1883-06-23

was oaieu ou ycstcrudy, OF wOuiu
have answered at once. Others
have written me on the same sub
ject. OF course l favor an extra
session of the Mississippi Legisla
ture for the purpose named. 1
have written to the Hen. A. G.
NOrvell, of Yazoo, who seems to
have the matter in charge, repre-.
senting, perhaps, the Levee Con
vontion, and expressed my agree.
ment, provided levee matters
should be the only subject of leg.
islation. Isuppose he has written
to every member. I see no reason
why there should be hesitation on
this matter. A largo part of the
State Of Mississippi, and the rich.
est in production per acre, is in
absolute need Of protection, which
only legislation can give. They do
not apply for favors, but stand up.
on privileges that should be re.
spected. They desire to perfect
an autonomy for their own prcser-
walton, and in accomplishing this
system they ut once place them.
selves IN an attitude of higher
tribute to the State. Taxable prop
erty in personally multiplies, and
values in realty asccnd-increas.
ing the revenue from this source.
l don't belong to that class of
economists who refuse to spend
money when its expenditure GER
tainly purchases benefits that in.
sure greater wealth and accretive
income. To look at tho question
from the standpoint of profit alone
to the State, an extra session
would be advisable. But this is
not ala large number of citizens
stand endangered as to person and
property, and simply ask the priv.
ilegc Of taxing themselves. The
State, in such case, can alone come
to their rescue. The State is u
creation of the people for such
pursoscs, and II fails in intent and
is destructive of its own organism,
if it proves impotent or Indifferent
TO its trusts. II is absurd, incQn.
sistent and violate of democratic
political principle to rcpudidate
local option anywhere along the
line OF popular sovereignty, where
it is possible to indulge 1t without
harm to general interests. Hence,
investing this river district with
optional powers for legislation as
to themselves, in a manner not to
conflict at all with State interests
they at the same time submitting
to all the regular and general State
methods in practice for State aud
county purposes) can result in no
harm, but good. 1t is a wrong
against that section not to rccog.
nize their rights; and 1t is also a
wrong against the integrity OF the
State not to interpose in behalf OF
the preservation Of its members
when SO much is at stake.
This subject is not at all like, nor
to be thought of aud decided as
was the yellow fever appropria'
ton, or the call for such an appro'
priation by extra session OF the
Legislature. That proposed a char
ity-a gift to sufferers. l will not
say here las it is needlcss) whether
it was right, IN that case or not,
to meet in extra session. ! simply
say they are not parallel cases. In
the present case permanent dis
tress threatens, and the sections
involved ask to be permitted to
lecalize methods of raising money
on the basis of their own property
to defend themselves. OF course,
supervisory powers would be re-
served to the State. Irefer to the
yellow fever matter, as | have
! heard it stated in objection to an
extra session on the ground urged.
In my oplnien, if the overfiowed
section does not get the legislation
sought, coming sessions OF the
Legislature will be burdened with
appeals for remission of taxes,
which, il not granted, will amount
to confiscation ofproperty through
out the district. IF granted or not,
the State will be the suffer. The
precedent for remission of taxes
is harmful, and l have ever op-
posed it. Taxes should be equal,
uniform and proper, and then col
lected. II the State repossesses
herself of these lands by foFfeitnrei
then she Is no better off, for she
must construct the levees In that
ease or have no purchasers; and,
u Tie interim, rese taxes On lands
Economy and right Of peEseii loud
! i demand an extra session and at
aHee. think in the event oi q