The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1901-01-26

ii "A
Il citizen, to ask questions touching puolle
BEWlLDeRfD affairs of public paper, mpels to al
4 TAYpAy1R, 4 least an effort at reply
l Begging our correspondents permits
eon let first dispose of his complaint against ourselves
assuming his reference the local papers TO nc"de
The Times He says 81 have heard no public uterance,
md seen n pubc word of condemnation Of this remark
able state of affairs in any journal published IN tne as
trct: the inexphcao'e SILENCE " Wy 'oo"'
all cause doubt the conclusions that seem 10
he ipdubtabe" Touching these things The Times re-
fers to its own editorial columns for the past few years.
and replies TO every Tax
caver in this Ievee distrct,''We have pped unto you,
and We have not danced have mourned unto you ana
e have not laented" Week after week. for months IN
succession has this paper called public attention 10 dere
ctions of the Levee Boad to wastefu and
in the conduct of its affairs; to its eternal
mixing ny of politics and business whereby 1t has come
10 be commonly regarded, throughout the length ana
breadth OF Mississippi as merely of the important
noltca machines of the Delta section instead OF Dusl-
ness institution concerning itself solely with the dscharg
mo of its duties as the trustee of debtrdden taxpayers
All this and more And to what end? We search our
6es in vain for more than word two of approval from
Che taxpayers whose interests we have sought TO subserve
We find but scant enforcement OF our efforts to arouse
ven passing interest in affairs of vital Importance to the
class represented by correspondent small Wonoer,
then that we should have been driven to believe In the
uty of further Efforts that we had come to regard the
taxpayers this district in far as Leyee Board affairs
we're concerned as mere dumb driven CATTLE content
70 pursue their private affairs in hopeless apathy and to
the complete ignoring of their public duties 1t is an en-
ouragng sign that least taxpayer has at last be-
come bewildered" AS in the past now, the columns
# The Times are open legitimate discussion of every
public question.
AS 10 the susurpation of power by the president of
the hoard The Times conceves that there be but
opinion In so far as we have any knowledge, it is ut
tery without precedent But be that as 1T may 1T is in
efense for appeal to precedent can furnish no
justification for exercise of authority over public
funds not expressly delegated by law order OF the
hoard But we most respectfully submit to cores
pondent that the correction of the abuses OF which he
cpmplans is not within the province of oca papers, Ii
this is the straw that breaks the cames back If those for
whom he speaks have at last grown weary OF paying the
miner for others to Dance the remedy is in their hands,
and theirs alone.
Answering, to the best of ability, the questions
propounded, we beg to say that
l. No other president has ever approved such
vouchers for disbursements without the authority of the
board''
O. SO far as we can ascertain, other board has
ever nade similar allowances to cotton tax collectors
snrior to the disbursements cited by President Jayne"
g. With the exception cited by President Jayne, we
believe it has aways been the custom of the board for
The cotton tax collector to defraY all expenses incident to
.he collection Of taxes out of the salary allowed him.
4. AS to whether President Jayne 'has re-
fused to approve any vouchers, either for salaries,
tractors estimates any other expenditures authorized
hy the board thereby Indicating the functions OF his
office The Times only say that has certainly heard
this stated as fact, and upon excellent authority.
s. The governor has power to remove a member
Of the board.
g. successor to President jayne member of
The board is to be appointed when the next legislature
convenes How he is 'sto be selected" is another ques
ton As matter of local history, the reply of Governor
McLaurin, when he was asked by the Executive Com
ttee Of Washington county he would order primary
election to determine the successorship to Mr. Jayne,
will doubtless be recalled His characteristic,
and was 1--WE quote from memory that he would not
fuh course might endanger MrJayne selection for the
pIace.-whom be had determined to re-appoint.
AS Governor Longino is of different calibre from
his distinguished predecessor presume ourselves to be
rafe in assuming that the question of will
practically rest with the taxpayers of Washington county
-
Every public utterance of Mr.. CeveIands is entitled
10 consideration In his address, before the Hol
land Society, of New York, he voiced sentiment to
which frequent expression has been given
az late though probably not IN quite SO I'VE HAVE
moderate and conservative tone. 0,,,.D ,.xo,D
Mr. Cleveland made use of thefoIlow- '''-O '-O'
mo among other striking expressions: THE OLD LINES
Reverence for our national traditions has
relaxed and satisfaction with countrys mission has been