Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-03-30


This bill was 9 corksr. It provided
substantially that the railroad should
pay the commissioner, attorneys, ex-
perts, stenographers and typewriters,
clerks, etc., OF which quite an army
were to be employed. There were to
be three commissions with salaries of
5000 each per annum. This bill also
gave the right to the commission to
60 to any railroad company's office at
any time and have access to any
books, papers, maps, charts, ETC., at
the viii Of the commission. Experts
we're to determine the actual cost Of
constructing and maintaining each and
every railroad In the State, and the
commission, under this great measure,
were empowered with almost enough
power to say how much q corporation
Of this kind should be allowed to make
annually.
But the Senate passed IL. when it
went to the House q pretty fight was
witnessed. While the Doudy bill had
been under discussion in the Senate a
certain great House railroad commits
sion bill was being aired in that branch
Of a law-making body and bad got
ten 80 far along that when the Doudy
bill reached the House 1t found its
way blocked BY It's near relative.
About this time 9 bill became Q law
creating q new chancery court district,
composed OF the counties Of Jefferson,
Monroe, Prairie and Arkansas. Jeffsr-
son had been taken out Of a district
with Arkansas and put in this new dis
trict. Our present cbanceilor's time lie
almost expired 70 the Governor, under
this arrangement had several chancery
judges to appoint. There were lots Of
applicants, especially for the new
plum, !. e., chancellor Of the new dis
trict. Both branches OF the Legisla-
ture, or rather the members thereof,
wers actively engaged In politics,
helping the Governor select the new
1t resulted this way; Our
present circuit Judge was taken out Of
this Judicial circuit and given the new
plum. The Governors brother-in-
law was made chancellor OF our dis
trict, and the lawyer Of the layout
was placed upon our circuit bench. The
Of the House went back to
their seats and passed the anti admin
istration railroad commission bill, the
Senate took IL up and passed IT in a
hurry and-what else could the Gov
efnor dof He signed 1t.
Only sixty-four willing servants Of
State's interests applied for the
new plums, which only three could
secure. Last week the appointments
were made. The provisions OF the
present law are such that any good,
capable msn with q political future
would ruin his chances hereafter II be
to serve on this commits
Men with no political future
can't be hurt politically and the Cover
nor's actions cen TO have been gov
srned By this wisdom. So we have a
railroad commission-but, well, hurrah
Tor Senator Berry In 1901.
Last week | went down to Memphis
IN the steamer "Kate Adams" There
lots Of water passing down the old
Mississippi and she is out of her banks
NJ the way from Memphis down. The
gauge is 4S feet here and lie stIll rising,
'ut the government engineers gay,
rom what water is in sight, the high
'st stage that will be reached here
rom the present rise viii be about IS
eet, Our levees along the Mississippi
re in excellent condition and can
withstand So feet, 90 no sppre-
tensions are felt at present.
The future was never 90 bright be-
ore for this section. The last meet
Dg of the Mississippi River commis-
ion, which was March z, allotted
1s7 600 TO be spent on river work
q this district. OF this q good
teal will be used towards completing
nd strengthening the levees along F,
be Arkansas River behind ne. Already =,
contract has been LET for q strip OF :
wee to cost 81, 000-from where the +,
Irkansas River levee now stops on 4
outh. The sum of $1,000 was con-
ributed by foreign lsvee boards and q :
Ike sam will be given by our local
cards. Though the money spent By ,
be local boards, Of course, does much I
God In actual levee construction, yet. 1
lone, it counts for but little, but the :
opposition our boards show to work !
a harmony and help themselves is
trong invitation TO the government
0 give levees q large appropriation I
nd to the river commission to give 4
9 q large allotment. f,
The day lie not far distant when =
his beautiful garden spot will be eff I
ectually redeemed from the ravages !
{ the great father Of waters and this !
Of "Dixie" Will take her first /
'osition In the froat ranks OF the I
march OF progress and prosperity /.
Sincerely yours,