The Greenville times., 1889-06-29
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20 AAI GAAEAA A4Atf AaHE=t#AtAe OK tnf
people ore engaged 10 agriculture IN
this State. sud yet most Of the law,
that have been passed have been fos
the benefit, directly or indirectly. n
capitalists, meaning other capitalist.
than farmers or agrieulturists. Il /.
perhaps true that niRe-tenfhs OF the
people Of Mississippi. are engaged in
Agriculture, but il is not true thai
most Of the laws that have been pass
ed have been for the benefit. directly
or indirectly, Of capitalists : and as 4
Mississippian jealous Of the fame OF
the State, protest against such defa-
nation, and demand specifications OF
the of repeated charge that the legis-
lation Of the State has been against
the great paramount interest OF the
people and for the few instead OF the
many. ] deny the charge, and assert
that there Is upon our statute books
more class legislation in the interest OF
agriculture than ofany other.
More than this, Il challenge those 80
ready 10 assert that, most of the laws
OF the State have been passed for the
benefit Of capitalists, to mention a sim
gle law that has been so passed. Ihave
some familiarity with the laws Of the
State, and II there is one which may
justly be charged as having been pass
ed In the interest Of capitalists other
than land owners and landlords, | do
not recall II. Ours is an agricultural
state and must continue to be. All
desire the advancement aud success of
the great controlling interest of the
State, and legislation has been shaped
IN the interest Of agriculture. There
u hardly law upou our statute books
not 20 designed, always excepting a
shameful exemption in favor of banks,
which crept into the revenue law of
1883, and wdich could not have been
passed, II 1t had been understood.
! speak not Of such frauds as that,
which the Legislature will make haste
to correct, but of the general course
OF legislation, and our permanent body
OF laws, and as to that defy contradic-
tion.
Another statement equally destitute
or foundation In fact, Il often made,
viz That agriculture pays more than
eighty per cont Of the taxes In this State
III the sense in which this assertion Is
made Is that agriculture, as the chief
wcalIh-producer in this State. ulti-
mately hears tho greater burden, Il Is
true, but In the sense that they who
owe and cultivate land as agrlcultur-
lists, pay more than so per cent. of tax :
es, II Is wide of the mark.
While about ninc-tenths of the peo-
pie Of Mississippi II may be, are en-
ployed IN agriculture, il Is very qnes-
tionsble, If they pay one-third Of State
and county taxes. II Is time the truth
on this subject should be known aud
recognized. The farmers have enough
ig thp adverse conditions surrounding
them to dissatisfy them, without hay
ing imaginary grievances to still far
ther make them discontented aud un-
happy. 1 am vel acquainted with
their general situation and difficulties.
and deeply sympathize with them. but
1t Is not true that State legislation
caused or can cure the evils which
afiiict them. Our laws are for the
most part good, and ali the farmers
who have been In the Senate aud House
OF Representatives for years have not
been able to suggest and formulate
any acceptable Improvement of them.
Not a farmer IN the state has propaeed
or can propose any acceptable lcgisla-
lative measure for the amelioration of
the condition of this class. The idea
that laws can INDUCE prosperity is
felusion. The wisest aud LGst Of
earth cannot frame code of laws that
would produce prosperity. Individual
does not come from any
such soufoa,
The agriculturists OF THE state have
had done for them all that lew can do.
The landlord Is made secure In bis rent
and advances, and the laborer or crop.
per IL made secure for his claim, aud
all have plain, simple and cheap rcmc-
dies for the enforcement of their rights.
More than this law cannot do,
When government exists as cheaply
rs II can to be efficient, when It's bur-
iens are distributed evenly as TO all
classes aud interests, when men are
protected In their natural rights Of life,
liberty and the acquisition and enjoy |
ncnt of property, and are left to the
pursuit of happiness according to their
individual notions, when suitable pen
sltles arc denounced against crimes,
md efficient laws for their punishment
src enacted, when tribunals arc Greet
I'd for the redress Of public and private
wrongs, and the enforcement of rights.
when plain and simple rules for tho
regulation of tho transactions of the
living In these respects, wherein Il Is
and cheap and efficient pro-
'isions for settling the affairs of the
lead are made, all has been done that
an be by law for the advancement
md welfare of society. The rest de-
lends on individual effort and envi-
onmcnt.
Away then with the absurd cry that
here has been discrimination in the
egislation of this State against agricul-
urc. There is no truth In 1t. The
ast Legislature had many Intelligent
gricultulists in II. What did any of
hem propose for the benefit of agri-
ulturc? Magruder's bill to regulate
'bor, deemed by him and others essen
al, was defeated ovcrwhelmiuglk and
y the votes of farmers.
None of the intelligent farmers in
enate or House proposed to change
ur laws or to make new ones, except
above, | believe. Shall Il be believed
iat with most of our laws in the in
'rcst Of capitalists, as charged. the
'any representatives of the landed and
gricultural interest in the Senate and
Iouse were dumb, and made no effort
rectify the great wrong. MOI
hey were silent because our laws arc
pod, and men Of sense know they can
Dt improve them and therefore, did
Ut try, except in very few instances.
MrcuruuInr,.