The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-24
To the Property Owners Of Bolivar
County.

- County.
RosEDALE Bolivar Co., Miss. teb. 20, 1855
There is scheme now being attempted
be carried through our Legislature
which affects the property interests Of
arge class OF our citizens and which, il
mccessful, will result in confiscation OF
he peoples rights and a gift OF them To-
he L., n. o. & T. railroad.
II is a well known fact that the railroad
cquired avery doubtful claim to its lands
this county when it purchased from the
commissioners OF the Kinds county chan
ery court, and IL is also equally well
tnown that these lands cost the railroad
lot more than OF cents per acre, and that
has never paid one dime OF taxes either
o the State or our county since the acqui-
ition Of its claim, and that it has contrib
itcd very little, il anything, toward the
building OF odr leyees-haying contributed
ibsolulely nothing in the last four years.
All OF the lands claimed by the railroad
md for which !they paid OF cents per
ere as above shown are also claimed by
,rivatc individuals, many OF whom are
stizcns OF our county, and most OF whom
arc citizens. Of our State. These private
individuals are the original owners OF
ihcse lands, who paid their taxes until
that period after the late war when tax
ilion amounted TO confscation, and
when many OF our wcslthiest citizens were
compelled 10 allow their lands 10 be for
fcitcd because OF the erroneous burdens
placed or them by taxation. These orig
inal owners have every right TO demand.
protection from our government, and thclf1
interests are entitled TO the same consider
>ation from our Legislature as that OF the
vast and powerful corporations which
bave been foslcoed In our midst.
1hcse same lands that are claimed by
he railroad under soles which were pre-
ended 10 have been mado for taxes In
iSGS-69-70-7l, were also sold TO the State
n May, 1875, for taxes due 10 the State
nd counties, 20 that as the matter now
iands there are three distinct claims
ipon them, viz The railroad, the State,
nd the original owners.
The railroad claiming that the lands
yere not liable to taxation for any pur-
,ose, because OF nm exemption under It's
harter, has heretofore and is now refus-
ng to'pay its taxes or 10 contribute any.
hing toward the maintenance Of the gov
rnmcnt, and Is now contesting the right
Il our county 10 demand or TO recover our
axes, Notwithstanding the fact that our
upreme court has expressly declared that
hoy are not exmpt
Well kowing the dangerous and unccr-
ain character OF lis title TO It's lands, and
Justly fearing 10 conduct the matter
hrough our courts with the original own
as lest II be forced 10 surrender lis claims,
/ Is now trying TO force through our Legis-
aiure law that will cnitle them toa deed
rom the State 10 the States title, and by
his means enable the railroad 10 fasten n
len on these lands for fourteen years
axes, and thus practically cut OF all rights
4 the original owners, and that too with
nt the railroad having TO pay anything
norc than our supreme court has already
--lcclared that they arc bound TO pay In any
vent
Our honorable board Of supervisors an
Icipaiing this attempt on the part Of the
abroad, at lis last January meeting
dopied resolution requesting our repre-
entatiyes and senators TO strenuously OPP
,ose the passage OF any law which would
hus make free gift Of the States claims
IN these lands TO tho railroad and copy
n its resolutions was forwarded 10 our rep
cscntstiyes. Notwithstanding this fact
m has been introduced which will give n
ew and an Independent title TO these
ands to the railroad and which will effect
ially cut on the rights Of our citizens u Il
becomes law. Our board Of supervisors
iavc been called 10 meet nj Rosedale on
saturday, the 25ih day Of this month, and
m attempt will then be made by tho rail.
'oad 10 have them rcscnd the order passed
II It's last meeting and 10 indome this
most unjust, inequilable and one sided
measure.
Ittherciorc bchoovcs all OF these who de.
lire 10 sec equal justice done TO our ciii.
scns who wish 10 protect their own prop
riy interests, and 10 prevent our home
oyernmcnt from passing into the hands ol
his great monied corporation, 10 come
Onward on the day set for the meeting ol
sur board Of supervisors, and by their
~ avowcd disapproyal Of this legislation tc
declare 10 the world and TO our Legislature
that they win not stand quietly by and sec
The property Of their fathers and OF theil
children and Of their neighbon confiscated
and given to any railroad or to any set o.
and Spectators.
The milroad claims In this county alon'
yearly 100000 acres Of land. Think well
therefore, Of the immense interests In