The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1894-12-07

Our attention has been called to an
unintentional error committed by the
TIMES last week in giving the tax rate
OF Madison county. Instead OF 16
mills, the state apd county tax is as
follows: County levy, 81 mills; State
levy, 9 mills. The above is the total
state and county levy, but in district
No. where the public roads are
worked by controct, an additional
mill tax has been levied. So that
after all we were not far wrong in re-
gard to the amount of taxes paid by
the people of district No. /.
Now that all disturbing questions
are at rest, and our people permitted
to enjoy hiatus that is most grateful
and refreshing, it is proper and in fact
imperative, that they should all pull
together to repair the rent places and
look after the the material interest of
the city. The first thing and most ur-
gent, is Water Works. Next Tuesday
we are informed, this matter will be
presented to the city council on petit
ton to put the question to vote of the
people of Canton as to whether they
are willing to a tax to secure water.
We are further informed that water
can be obtained at comparatively an
insignificant cost to the city. # this is
true for it is matter to be considered)
we see no ground on which any citizen
can oppose patriotic and progressive
project SO conducive to the health, con
venience and prosperity Of the city.
Let every body go to work, and first
secure Water Works, other enterprises
will inevitably follow.
The grand jury failed to find true
bill against Josh Whiting, the negro
who killed Sam Powell down at the
free show one night last week. The
friends Of Powell are pouring hot shot
into the grand jury, charging that the
killing was simply murder no more.
no less. We are aware the GOOD Book
says, sit is better that thousand
guilty men escape, than, or one inno-
cent one be punished" This sounds
all good enough, but it begins to look
very much like WEN have to give the
state the benefit Of the doubt and hang
few fellows, just by way of inspiring
a greater regard for human life The
fact is our criminal laws are too laxlv
executed. In the dozen or more homi-
cides that have beer committed in
Madison county during the past two
years, not a single man has ever been
made to suffer or pay nickle for car
rying concealed weapons, notwith-
standing the fact that the deed was
perpet.'ated by weapons concealed up
on the person of the perpetrator.
The City Election which takes place
next Tuesday, while it involves great
deal to the citizens and tax payers of
Canton, seems to create very little in
terest. What electioneering that has
been done has been in the nature of a
very quiet. still hunt. The fact is.
only the offices of mayor and marshal
are worth the while of battle. To
be an alderman is simply to offer as a
target to be shot at, by every fellow
who imagiues he ought to be exempt
from all of the burdens of govern
ment. The alderman are really the
responsible branch of the city govern
ment, and should be men of sound bust
ness Judgment. of fixed opinion of
public duty, and regardless OF the ca
prices and whims of people always
ready to kick" even at d shadow
The retiring board had some good men
on it who, tired of the distinction of
being continually criticised and found
fault with for conscientious discharge
of public duty, are anxious to be reliev-
ed of the empty honors they have so
patiently borne, and will not. we
understand, offer to be continued in
office. Such are the very men the peo-
Pile need to direct and control the
city's interest, and should be honor
ed(?) by having the Office thrust upon
them. Nolens, Violent.