The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1901-07-20
MISSISSIPPI
HAPPENINGS.

Jackson. Miss, July l5.-rhe
,onort that eight negroes in the
nelta had died of the charbon
lenders the situation in that Soc
tiou much graver than had ever
besu anticipated, and would seem
to call imperatlvely for the inter-
ventiun OF the State Board of
J3ealth in the matter. While
the disease was confining it.
salf to cattle, there was every
season to maintain that it was not
sufficient to bring it within the
jurisdiction and notice of State.
Health Board, but now that it bids
fair TO become epidemic amongst
the negroes there appears TO be
good ground fora use Of D portion
sof the health contingent fund in
the suppression of the disease.
Should there, The any further
Manning spread among the ne-
Sroes III that section. something
ofthis sort will probably be done.
Ii will be recalled that the sole
ground on which the board of con-
troll reversed its appropriation
from the State health board fund
for the suppression of the char
bon was that it was not such an
epidemic disease as was contem-
plated IN the act setting aside
this money for emergencies, being
confined exclusively to cattle. AS
stated, however, it seems sto be-
rapidly assuming a character that
will bring it with the terms of the
act and render the money availa-
BILE, II the board, With tho appro-
val Of the governor, feels dis
posed to extend this assistance.
The conduct of the foreign
mortgage and loan companies,
that have been operating so ex-
tensivoly in this State for the last
fifteen years, in regard to the pro-
ceedings for back taxes, instituted
against them bysRevenue Agent
Writ Adams, in alittle puzzling.
to say the least Of it.
AT tho last meeting of board of
supervisor of Coahoma county Il
list of ass essment of loans made
by these companies was presented
by the county assessor, in accor-
dance with the instructions of the
State Revenue Agent, and approx
ed by the board Of supervisors.
The revenue agent had selected
Coahoma county as tho one in
which he would bring the test
case to decide the legal principle
involved in the proceeding, which
is, briefly. Are foreignloan com
panies subject to taxation in this
State, in which they have made
loans on proofs that they have
not paid ad valorem taxes on the
amount of these loans at their do
micile in the foreign States thus
escaping taxes altogether on their
Investments? No representative
Of the loan companies thus attack
Cd appeared to oppose the assess
ment BY the board of supervisors,
and SO far as is known none of the
companies have given any notice
that they would appeal. as al
lowed by law, from the de-
clsion of the board to the cir
scuit court. In fact, they do not
seem to have paid any attention
whatever to the proceedings, let
tine. them go by default, although
she result of a final decision
against the companies in these
very cases will result in subjecting
Atbem to an immense loss Of back
taxes in over half the coenties of
The State. r
1t has been suggested that the
companies will let the assessment
pc made without opposition, and
make no move wbateve. until the
Iepenue agent enters actual suit
Tor the taxes in the court. when
they Will, for the first time, take
Aotlce of tho matter and make
tllelf defense that they are
non-taXable in the Mississippi
courts but whatever course they
ADEPT, and it goes without saying
tlleS are alert as to the proceed
lngs, their quiescence and failure
70 resist the assessment or take
any appeal to date appear some
what strange to observe.