The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1888-01-12

! wv pay thiC NhA ~ NhN
authorize the prosecution of the de-
| liDquents before magistrate on
notice of default by the sheriff, whose
duty it should be to make such report
to be relieved of the liability of the
charge on the assessment roll against
him. The constitutional power of the
legislature to make misdemcanOr
possible, as suggested by the Gov
ernor for failure to pay this tax, is
unqueStioned.
! He goes further, and upon the
broad ground that man who refuses
to pay so small an amount as 81 to
the support of the government should
not he entitled To participate in the
decision of public matters, recon-
mendS that the legislature at this SEES
sion submit for the consideration and
vote of the people an amendment to
the constitution making the payment
of the poll tax Il condition to the
right of suffrage, and thinks this
recommendation will receive the APP
proval of all fair-minded men of both
races.
! Reforms in the pay of witnesses and
the great burden to the counties aris-
ing from petty cases is referred to in
strong language and remedies urged.
Many of these petty cases consume
much time and cngcnder much eX-
pense which could easily be disposed
of by Il magistrate. He thinks from
SlJ0,00O to S20O,0O0 can be saved by
curtailing expenses i'll this particular.
He also recommends that district at
torneys be paid II salary and no other
fees.
! Twenty-Five years ago the citizen
ship of the State was increased over
100 per cent, and the per capita
wealth of the State was proportion
ately decreased. Violations of law
have kept pace with the increased
numbers, and the fee system has
served to cucumber the courts with a
class of petty cases that have been
costly to those who support and
maintain the government. In some
districts the district attorneys under
the present system received at one
time greater compensation than the
Judges of the supreme court.
He recommends the continuation of
the State revenue agent, and gives
the amount collected and paid into the
treasury by Mr.. Adams, the agent, in
two years as $16,5S7, and he has in
process of collection $50. 900 more.
The amount due the State by the
government on account of the per
cent fund is referred to and history
of the matter given. Seven thousand
dollars has been received by the State
in the past few weeks and is expected
to be embraced in the annual detici-
cncy bill of the present congress The
swamp lands, (internaD improvement
lands and Chickasaw lands, are all
treated and shown to be in good
condition.
Regarding free schools, the system
is shown to have worked well, longer
terms for less money having
prevailed than heretofore.
The State University at Oxford is
shown to be in excellent condition,
and that its career of honor and use
fulness will continue to he Il source of
pride to the people of the State.
The Agricultural and Mechanical
College at Starkville fully meets the
wants of industrial education, and is
growing i'll public confidence and
stands at the head of the list of in
situations of its character in the union.
The Industrial Institute and Col
leCe for the Education of White Girls
at Columbus, is i'll all of the elements
of a thorough literary and collegiate
education equal to NaSSar. that has
long stood at the head of female col
leges, and in industries and in fitting
pupils for immediate employment has
more than met the expectations of the
country.
The Alcorn and Agricultural and
Mechanical College in jefferson
county, for the education of colored
boys, is prosperous and well managed,
and the same is said of the Tougaloo
University and State Normal School
at Holly Springs, both colored in
stitutiOns supported by the state.
The penitcntiary and convict labor
problems is treated at length, and
the legislature is advised to keep the
convicts upon public works and not to
rcScind the present lease with the
Gulf and Ship Island Railroad unless
it is provided in advance for their EN-
ployment, and ifpossible without ex-
pcnSe to the State.
The State board of health is favor
ably commended. The Mississippi
river levces are treated at some length
and all favorable legislature requested
to he adopted.
The military of the State is reported
in better condition than it has been
since the admission of the State into
the union, there being many excellent
organized commands in the different
sections of the State, thoroughly dis
ciplined and equipped, with an en-
campment for coast defense near Pass
Christian, established during the past
year.
In conclusion he says: "The rec
concentrations and suggestions sub
mitted in this communication for your
consideration and action | believe to
be sound, and if adopted will promote
the public welfare. AS trusted agents
as possessing the confidence of your
constituents, it will be your
pleasure to contribute all in YOUR pow
er to the advancement and prosperity
of the State, and in the furtherance of
this object | beg to assure you that
YOU shall have any cordial cO-Opera-
ton. In the sovereign name of the
people of the State ! bid ann extend to
You cordial welcome to the capital,
and sincerely trust that your session
will he agreeable to yourselves and
beneficial to those whom You will in
telligently and faithfully serve"
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