The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1885-07-11

would" Why, my dear friend
what is the matter with you 7
Don't you know, that a Yazoo man
who would begin his canvass by
repudiating the action of the coun-
ty's representatives aud by declar-
ing that the swamp lands of Yazoo
must always pay levee taxes aud
the lands of Holmes equally pro-
tected never should, would cut n
very small figure before a Yazoo
county Democratic Convention ;;
and unless he should get the en-.
dorsemeut of such convention
don't you know that he would cut
even smaller figure before the
people of the county at the polls I
Moreover | don't think that
Holmes county will disturb the
present harmonious arrangements
because there has been and per.
haps is now, some difference of
opinions, between the swamp peo-
pie of Yazoo about the Levee
question. This question is an inn
portant one and has been so for
years. 1t has heretofore been the
policy of the State of Mississippi
to permit those of her people, who
inhabit the Delta, TO protect them.
selves by taxing their own proper.
ty. Snch legislation has usually
accorded them as they have de.
sired, so far as was consistent with
the State constitution, justice and
private rights.
Lately the destructive effects
of the overflow of 'S2 'S3 and 'S4
on the one hand, and the building
of railroads in the Valley on the
other, have increased the interest
IN the levee question. Whether
Mississippi shall become the
wealthiest agricultural State in
the South depends on whether
the Delta shall be reclaimed aud
protected. Whether the State
taxes shall be increased or dimin.
ished depends greatly upon wheth.
er the wealth of the Valley be di-
minished or increased. If the
people of the Valley wish to en-
rich themselves and the State,
and protect themselves, they
should be permitted to do SO.
The great majority Of those peo-
pie sincerely believe that levees
are necessary to even compare.
tive safely. Since the plan of the
Mississippi River Improvement
Commission includes levees as an
aid in deepening the channel Of
the river, our swamp friends are
more hopeful than ever Of th,
ultimate security of their lant
from overflow.
How far the line of the distric
to be taxed should extend, an,
how much and what kind of take
should be permitted, are question
, to be decided by the Legislator
when they arise. 1t seems that i
; dealing with so great q question
involving the lives sometimes, an
the fortunes always, of tens Q
thousands of our people, legil
lator who proposes to represer
two of the wealthiest counties /
. the State, both lying partly in th
valley, and to that extent expose
to overflow, should not hampe
: himself with a cast iron pledge
! a precinct meeting in any part {
the district which he aspires {
represent.
, Should it fall to my lot to be i
. the next Legislature as Floate
from Holmes and Yazoo, | sha
deal with the levee question i
T any form that It may arise, in
spirit of fairness and justice, an
after obtaining all of the inform,
, ton that / can relating to tn
views and interest of those VIII
, are principally concerned, !. o. tn
swamp people, | shall endeavo
to give effect to those wishes an
interests within the limits of jul
f tice and the constitution paying
due regard to the will of a major
ty of my immediate constituent
, / shall regard the views of Yazo
as much as those of Eulogy Pr
! cinct and Holmes. / shall el
, deavor to represent faithfully tn
. interest of both counties and th
State at large. l think upon II
: Election that you and your neigl
! bors will conclude that you hav
/ asked a little too much of me, an
; that Yazoo county can be truste
to select a Floater acceptable
/ both counties unmoved by threat
Does it not occur to you, that
D you force an issue of this kin'
D you might destroy any chanc
your county has to stay out of tn
!. Levee District
{ Ihope that you and your friend
:, will think better of this and SUI