The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1899-03-22

eGOs
These quotations from two of
the leading educators of the state
are entitled to most serious con-
sideration; but it should not be
forgotten that it was not the pur-
pose or wish of the trainers of the
Constitution Of 1890 to ''force the
collection OF the poll-tax. = The
members of the Convention had
doubtless discovered that there
were then in Mississippi 100, 400
colored males over 81 years of
age, against 1857 whites of vo-
ting age; and they were not spe-
cially anxious to force upwards
of one hundred thousand colored
men to qualify for suffrage al
though giving them full opportu-
nifty of so doing. Had the Conven-
ton the benefit of the experience
since acquired, it might have
reached different conclusions. It
seems reasonable that the POLL
tax being school fund, and cam
not be otherwise applied, the me-
groes who are so largely the BEN
eficiaries Of the school tax paid
by the property OF the whites,
should at least pay this annual
pittance for the education of
their children. More than three
fourths Of the voting population
of Jefferson county is black, and
the loss to the school fund from
the failure to pay thepoll tax in
1898 was S3764. 90. This had to
be made up from the poll and
property tax in other counties and
hence the kick now all along the
line. The people Of Mississippi
the tax payers | mean-have DEM
onstrated their willingness in sub
stantial ways, to uplift the colored
population; but the time has come
when they themselves should do
some of the lifting. It is COM
mand Of holy writ, that .'if any
work not, neither shall he eat, -
and if a citizen of Mississippi will
not pay his poll-tax, he certainly
should not expect q bonus for re-
fusing to discharge this obligation
to the state and this duty to his
children. Unless there is reform
along this line the present con-
stisllional term Of four months in
all may be continued in all coun-
ties, but in many it certainly will
not be Increased. The statement
ol Mr.. Wade that if the poll tax
negroes OF jefferson county all
paid ire poll-tax he could run the
colored schools five months, and
on their own money, is very sig
nificant; so that the more this
subject is considered the more
evident it appears that the basis
OF distribution should be read
justed.
The memorial services at the
First Presbyterian church last
night in honor of the late Rev.
DR.. Hunter, were very interest
ing and impressive. The church
had been appropriately draped,
and appropriate floral designs
were on the platform. A great
congregation filled the house to
its full capacity. Addresses were
made by Rev. DR.. Mallard, of
New Orleans; Rev. DIR. Cunning
ham, Of Yazoo City; Rev. DR..
Murrah, of Millsaps College, and
Rev. r. w. Bailey, of First Meth
odist church. The resolutions
adopted by tho session were read /;
also beautiful tributes from the
Rev. DR.. b. M. Palmer, New Or
leans; Rev. DR.. j. b. Stratton,
Natchez; Bishop G. B. Galloway,
Fort Worth, Texas; Rev. DR.. II.
F. Sproles, Vicksburg Rev. DR..
John IL. Boyd, Evanston, I'll.
The music was rendered by the
choirs Of all the churches. All
the addresses and tributes, in
cluding the funeral discourse by
the pastor, Rev. j. B. Hutton,
viii doubtless be published in a
memorial pamphlets. The me-
mortal service was the sponta-
neous and hearty tribute Of an
appreciative community to one
whose life and character made
him an open book to them for
more than two score years.
The Jackson Hibernians cele-
brated st. Patrick's s day in pa
triotic style. Father Oliver de-
livered an oration in the morning,
and there was a grand banquet at
the Edwards House at night.
Seventy plates were set, and there
was no vacant chair on that
occasion. The feasting and the
Grating continued until after mid
night, but all retired in good or
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