The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-01-30
Kinds County Finances.
REPLY TO c, ". H., IN RAYMOND GAZETTE.

Kinds county owes a debt of 100000,
due in 1885. This debt accumulated during
the reconstruction period, say from 1865 to
1872, and was funded in 1873 into per
cent. bonds. These bonds originally
amounted to nearly 100000, and the war
rants for which they issued had been bought
at an average price of about 50 cents on
the dollar. G. W. II. can perhaps inform
us who some of the fortunate purchasers
were. But the county funded them at par
without quibbling about spectators; an
honorable adustment of the debt forbade
any other course.
In 1880. the county was asked to take
stock to the amount of 100000 in the N,
J. d c. r. R., which she did. and issued her
7 per cent. taxable bonds, due one-half
in ten and one-half in fifteen years, for
same. The assumption of this debt was
vigorously opposed by the larger tax-pay-
ing class, but they were largely outyoted,
and if G. W. H. and Geo. w. Harper are
one and the same person, he of all men in
the country is the most responsible for the
aseumptiod of the debt.
Within the last ten years several
things have conspired to place yet
another debt on the county. The school
fund got behind. and, under the decision
last year of the Supreme Court, the school
teachers certificates issued for the years
l880,-'Sl and 1882, and still unpaid, were left
without remedy. The fault can be traced
to no one person or class, and least of all
to the holders of the certificates. They
are held by teachers and by those whom
G. w. H. il pleased 10 call spectators"
This floating debt is about $4,000 or $751;
900.
Thus much for the debt. Now for G.
w. HIS TRADE against spectators, his
''thundering boom" against any more bonds,
and his popular method of paying the
debt.
The bill framed and in the hands of the
Committee was not gotten up in the inter-
est of spectators, but for the benefit of the
! holders of the certificates, and pre-emi-
nently for the benefit of teachers. 1t was a
proposition from creditor to debtor
/ for compromising TN indebtedness and pro-
/ viding for its payment. So far from being
| the doings of spectators, the retiring
Board of Supervisors have memorialized
/ the Legislature to have the debt funded:
/ many of the teachers have done likewise,
/ but no purchaser of acknowledgements
/ tor if you please-has signed such docu-
ment As to the taxpayers, many have
/ the bill.
/ The Hihundering boom" against any
! more bonds has not yet reached this part OF
/ the county. We are in favor of an econom.
i zeal administration and reduction OF
expense. but any attempt at retrenchment
I by repudiating an honest debt will be met
with the sturdy resistance that honor de
Inands. No one questions the justice Of
the obligation. To whom was il made,
To sons and daughterss Yes, largely t.
the daughters of Kinda, who, unfortunately
by the too vigorous rules Of our Southern
society find the sehool-room almost tn
only escape from dependence. It shame
me that one Of my countrymen should in
innate that the tax payers" should dictat
! the terms of settlement with such eredi
tor. The "ter1nsn should come from tn
holders of the certificates. They do no
ask for the cash, but for seven per cent
bond-a bond worth not more than so I
50 centa an the dollar. Is it asking to
muchS Then they win be far better please
with the cash, which is but their jus
pue.
Il But g. ". II. proposes to abolish tn
public schools until the indebtedness
liquidated. No more debt until the oil
one il paid! Stop tho schools! Haiti Re
trench
NAY, and thou hast come hero to mouti
I'll rant as well as thou
Stop the poor housed Stop bridge
building! Stop repairs on iails and othe
county buildings! Stop the court and e.
penses of the iudiciaryI Stop themi Sto
: them until the school debt is paid unit
the old bonds are paid until the railroa
bonds are paid until We don't owe do
lar in tie worldl
: Zach talk Is foilyof course it is. The
: let us leave Il of, and come like sober me
I and consider this proposition Of our cred
! tors, If it & fair and good for the count
let " accept it; if it is not. let US proyid
for the payment Of the debt in cash.
B. W. GRuEITH.