The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1884-01-15
A Bill to Disfranchiso the People Of
Jackson.

In last issue we published the synop-
sis Of 4 bill to repeal the Charter Of the
city OF jackson, and to substitute for
the present mode Of government a Com
mission TO be appointed by the Gov
ernor. An intimation TO this effect
was thrown out during the recent cleo
ton contest in the eity--tha. shoaid rse
Mr.. McGil's administration be re-clect.
oil, 1t would be set aside by some such
rstaliatsry and revolutionary preceding.
A bill u this eject was introduced in
the House on Saturday and referred to
tho Judiciary Committee; and the
authors and some Of the friends Of the
measure--who are among our most in
telligent and substantial citizens-had
hearing before the Committee yes.er.
day afternoon. The present admins
tratlon was not only severely arraigned,
but The CLARION was sharply CRITICS
ed because II did not champion thc
cause Of Mr.. Clingan, Our amiable
contemporary Of the Yicksburg Pos.
has intimatsd that certain inauen.
ces would be exerted against TAG
CLARION because we could not sec the
propriety Of advocating, ia our columns,
the special claims Of Mr.. Clingan. In
the only expression that VIC INDUCED
during the canvass, IL was construed as
unfriendly by both candidates We
then stated, what we now repeat, that
Mr.. Clingan was not nominated as u
Democrat, and he distinctly disclaimed
that he was running on any party plat
form. His only pledge was, 70 give the
city ian honest government" and hay-
Ing implicit confidence in his purpose to
do this, If elected, the proprietor Of The
CLAR1os, and his associate editor, cast
their votes for him, and wonld have re-
joiced in his election. Six Of the ten
votes from this office were cast for Mr..
Clingan. Our own rule has been, when
candidates are running on purely local
issues, to give Democrat the prefer.
ence- other things being equal. In this
particular case, Mr.. Clingan very sen.
sibly decided that It would not enhance
his chances Of election, to run as u
Democrat, and hence We did not adyo.
cato his election as such,
In n total vote Of nearly one thousand,
Mr., McGill's majority was o. While
"his election is undoubtedly due" as
stated by the Vicksburg Post go the
fact that he calls himself Republican
in politics" aud that "the blacks in
Jackson are Republicans almost to a
man" he was nevertheless supported by
some of the most respectable and sub
stantial citizens Of the place, who have
ut least as much at stake in the prosper
ity Of the city rs any of those who want
to disfranchiso the entire community
because their favoritc candidate was not
elected. We are no apologists for the
present administration, 1t might be
improved in many particulars, but
We cannot sanction this extra.
ordinery attempt TO set aside the
will of our people as to who shall con-
duct their municipal affairs After an
exciting contest, and a nearly full vote
of the registered voters, u majority Of
DC decided to continue the administra.
ton of John Mctiill If the city were
bankrupt, there might be financial
pretext for setting him aside On the
contrary, debt of nearly sixty thousand
dollars has been wiped out during his
administration, and there is now cash
balance of more than three thousand
dollars in tho city treasury. This has
been accomplished by high but steadi-
ly decreasing rate Of taxation.
The Legislature, we feel confident,
will not take any action until the sense
of our people can be taken pro and con
If n majority of the voters of Jackson
want to be placed under the government
of Commission, to be appointed by
the Governor, or anybody else, let the
Legislature so order--if it has the power
to disfranehise citizens because they
don't vote to suit Il minority, however
politically sound they may be.
As a means of economy, thcro is no
merit in the proposed amendment"
TO the city charter. II county officers
collect and disburso taxes, they must be
paid for their services, and there will be
fow, qualified for the position, who
would discharge the duties Of President
Of tho Commission, for the munifcent
salary of one hundred dollars per an.
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