The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1899-01-27
SENATOR HARDY OUTLINES HIS IDEAS.

CENAToR HARDY, of Meridian, contributes to the Meridian Star the
- draft of a platform which he thinks would be a grand state declara-
tion. The platform makes good reading and is as follows:
!. We are in favor of building a new capitol that shall meet all the
needs Of the State, but are opposed to building it on the site Of the present
2. "We are in favor Of creating a state board of equalization to secure
greater uniformity in the valuation Of property for purposes Of taxation.
}. "We are in favor Of amending the constitution so as to secure a
farer and more equitable distribution Of the public school fund by limit
ing the state tax to mills, and allow the counties to retain :te poll tax
and require them to supplement the state levy so as to MAINTAIN the public
schools at least four months each year.
L. 'We favor the creation Of a bureau of agriculture and commerce
and the office of the commissioner of agriculture to be a state office. and
the commissioner to be elected at the general assembly and hold his office
for four years, his duties to be defined by the legislature.
"We favor the establishment Of a textile school by the state, where
young men and women may be thoroughly taught the art OF manufacturing
textile fabrics.
survey of the state. to be completed within four years under the direction
of The trustees Of the "A. & N. College
I. 1--WE are in favor of paying the state revenue agent a salary instead
Of u commission, and requiring the district attorneys to prosecute all suits
by the state revenue agent in their respective districts, and the attorney
general to represent the state in the supreme courts nj all appeals and the
attorney general be allowed an assistant attorney general whose saarv shah
be fixed by the legislature.
s. I'VE are opposed to collecting back taxes of corporations who wer
exempt from the payment Of taxes by the laws OF the state, but VIC re IN
favor Of enforcing the law as construed by the supreme court as to taxes
acuuing after the date Of the adjudication.
9. "We favor a thorough revision Of the quarantine laws in the light
and with the aid Of the experiences OF 1897 and 1898.
10. 1.-THE newspaper press Of the state being a potential factor in the
edatattiion OF the people. and the conservator of good morals both public
and private, we are in favor Of exemption from seizure under execution or
attachment, printing presses, outfit and machinery used for printing and
nublishinp newst apers, Journals periodicals and books to the amount Of
A. 600. Provided that the owner thereof shall have other property that Is
under the law 1t shall be deducted therefrom unless he elect that it
may be seized instead of the property herein exempt.
H. uWe favor the dredging Of d ship channel to connect Ship Island
barbor with the city OF Gulfport, and an anchorage basin to accommodate
the needs Of commerce, by the general government. II this cannot be had
we ne in favor Of the state doing it by granting the necessary franchises
t. a harbor company, for a number Of years, not exceeding fifty, or doing
II herself BY direct appropriation, believing as we do that it would be thu
hest possible investment for the state by promoting its wealth and adding
to the prosperity and happiness Of the people,
IL. ave are in favor Of the general government taking sole charge Of
the entire levoe system OF the Mississippi river, as IT is . great intcrststs
highway IN which the people Of . whole country are interested.
"a. "We favor the fair, honest and economical administration OF the
,r.,rS y, hr state government and the appointment to Office only OF men
ubo are competent aud ehcent, aud who are appointed not for political
services rendered or to be rendered, but for their integrity, honesty and
efficiency. ~v% #
IA. aLamA but most important Of all, we are IN favor OF maintaining
tho Good faith and credit OF the state inyolate."