The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-02-03
SHOOT, OR GIVE UP GUN.


We favored its incorporation, be
!ieving u town TO about a thOusant
population, capable ut local self
government of mutual advantage
At the end of two years we 6ud OuI
streets in m improved condition,
though there has been scarcely any
tNM collected, except the street tax
of four dollars for each male iuhab-
liant liable to road duty, which is
less than half the cost OF the work
required under the State road law,
and applied with far better effect.
That, then, is y saving up of at
least $500 per allnum to every road
worker, which amount Is sufficient
tOpay a prOpertytax on $1,000 worth
of properly at the extreme rate al
lowed by the charter. Hence, the
man who has no taxable property
pays his o. 90 street tax, and the
citizen who has property pays az
the rate (thc extremely Of $500 pr
thousand. Hence, there are very
few in the corporate limits who, ii
they we're to pay these two items of
municipal taxation, would pay more
than what eight days OF road SER
vice would cost them (and the State
law requires ten if necessarily Is
it possible that We can't afford thatf
Aud we a%pprehend that would be
ample revenue to run the town ad-
ministration-to keep good streets
aud good order, not counting fines
and penalties, which would aid
largely. AS the affairs have been
managed for the past two years it
has been u saving institution, aud
We have simply beat the State, or
rather the surrounding community,
ont of bearing u share of the ex-
pcnse OF keeping mp the PnbIic
roads. to the extent OF one half, at
least. That is wrong and should
not be continued.
Our bi-annnal election Of officers
will take place, under the charter,
OH the first Monday IN April next.
The question then is shall We elect
officers and have the law enforced,
or abandon the incorporation and
pay our honest share OF taxation.
Many complain at the officers not
their duty. That is no ex-
whatever for doing away with
the corporation, for it is With the
majority to select officers 10 their
own liking. II the property holders
allow elections TO go by default,
aud give no more attention 10 the
municipal government than to
grumble, they should lbs allowed to
take it out in grumbIng.
We ARE strongly in favor Of the
corporation, but opposed TO the
non user and do nothing plan OF the
past two years. VIZ understand
there has been no ordinance passed
to enfnrco the collection of taxes,
aud il has So far been left to the
of The taxpayers to pay or
not. Under that plan no taxes are
collected and we understand the
aud Aldermen themselves
do not pay aud have refused to pay.
Hence, there being no money in
the treasury Mr.. e. ID. Mansfield
has rendered his resignation of the
office OF marshal. The Board has
not met for several weeks, aud
hence the corporation is dead, vir-
as it deserves to be, under
the circumstances. Therefore, we
emphGtically, elect officers aud
enforce the law or surrender the
charter.
Since the above was put in type
the Board OF Mayor and Aldermen
met on Wednesday night last, and
refused to accept the resignation of
Mr.. Mansfield, pending a settle
ment between him aud the Treasu-
Still Mr.. Mansfield has, as We
understand, practically surrendered
the Office of marshal, by rendering
bis resignation.