The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1900-11-07
PRoMorE INDrSTRIEs.

"The following timely article APP
peared in recent issue of the Baptist
aud is worthy of the thoughtful con-
sideration of Mississippians:
1t Is generally known among our
readers that the Baptist does not in
dulge in the argument of political
questions, and equally we'll known
that whatever affects our material
interests, whatever will add to the
happiness and prosperity of the peo-
pie of the commonwealth receives at
all times our unstinted approval.
1t is gratifying to read our exchang-
es and find the great unanimity of the
press, and for that matter the people,
in faYoring the association of capital
and establishing industries of various
kinds.
In many counties of the State along
the several lines of railroads large in-
vestments have been made, and the
various industrial plants established
will give occupation and employment
to an army of people who would 9th
erwise be idle. Women, girls and boys
can do good work in factories and OBJ
tain fair compensation for their labor,
while it is fact that they add but
little to the furtherance of agricul-
ture. These, and other considerations
induce a repetition of our former ut
terances, that is, that railroads we'll
equipped and conducted, are the ba-
sis and foundation for all other indus
tries of any magnitude. A large cot
ton factory a dozen miles from rail
road, would be as useless and non pay
ing as a magnificent modern hotel ia
an obscure village, and the same thing
applies to other important industries.
A writer and thinker of very much
more than ordinary ability, in dealing
with this subject, says" But some may
say, everybody recognizes the impor
lance of railroads" That may be true
as applied to right thinking men.
Then why this discussion?
The answer is this; If it is true that
the people of the State recognize the
importance and benefit of railroads,
there is class of it's citizens who are
deliberately and persistently not only
retardiDg the progress of railroads,
but also working on lines which, if
carried out, will destroy what little
advancement Mississippi has made"
1t goes without saying, that suits
are brought against railroads that
would never see the light of day
against individuals, and not infre-
quently most outrageous verdicts rem
dered Negroes have become promi-
nent litigants in the courts-they can
go to law without putting up a nickel
simply take the pauper's oath and
divide what is recovered with the
attorney.
A moments reflection ought to con-
vince not only jurors, but communi-
ties that trumped-up suits against
railroads., experimental suits, without
merit with the hope of large verdicts,
should be discouraged In numerous
instances, where persons claim DANA
ges from railroads, instead of bring
ing the suit in the county where it is
claimed the injury occurred, they in
stitute the suit on the line of road, in
some distant county, where it is un-
derstood large verdicts are rendered.
All this is radically wrong. If rail
roads are beneficial land everybody
agrees that they are, if they cause
other important industries to be es-
tablished and operated that naturally
contribute to the upbuilding, wealth
and prosperity of the State, then pub
lie sentiment should condemn the
wrong and injustice to which we al
Jude.
Mississippi needs more railroads,
more factories and better dirt roads to
reach that standard of prosperity en-
joyed by other more enterprising
States.