The leader., 1901-10-23
SUPERVISORS CONVENTION.
Hon. w. 4. Parsons Takes a
Prominent Part and Is
Thanked for n Speech.
4 summary of the Conventions Principal
Work.

The Supervisors State Convention,
called to meet in Jackson last Wednes-
day, had 90 counties represented and
organized by electing Hon. r. w.
Stewart, of Madison, Chairman, and
Hon. p. E. Williams, of Pearl River,
Secretary. The Convention was ad-
dressed by Gov. Longino, who gave it
his hearty approval and suggested that
it make its organization permanent.
The following highly complimentary
reference is made to Hon. w. F. Par
sons, by the jackson corresponds mt of
the New Orleans Picayune, in report
ing the afternoon proceedings of the
first days session:
Most of the afternoon was consumed
in discussion of public roads.
Mr.. Parsons, of Lincoln, in most in
teresting and instructive speech, de-
tailed the success of the contract sys-
tenn in Lincoln, and said so we'll
pleased we're the people with the con-
tract system that proposition to re-
turn to the old method of working
public roads would not receive hun
bred votes in the county. He held
the convention spellbound for over an
hour and answered many questions put
to him by delegates.
The convention passed a resolution
msmorializing the Legislature to repeal
all existing road laws and give Boards
of Supervisors supreme control of all
roads, ferries and bridges in their re-
spective counties.
This was asked, as explained, for the
reason that the conditions are diff
ferent
Tonight the subject of taxation was
discussed by Parsons, of Lincoln; Den
dy, of Madison; Hewes, of Kinds; Stew
art, of Madison; Williams, of Pearl
Copiah, and Clark, of Harrison. The
skill of the tax dodger was graphically
detailed by officials who fix the county
tax levy and pass upon assessment
rolls. Each made startling exhibits of
tax evasions in their several counties.
The consensus of opinion among the
speakers was that better assessors are
needed. One method of tax evasion
was failure to record deeds of trust.
Legislation requiring all evidences of
debt to be listed as other personal prop
erty, and failure to do so to invalidate
the debt, was advocated by all the
speakers and adopted by unanimous
vote of the convention. Mr.. Dendy's
bill on the subject was referred to the
committee on taxes.
A motion by Mr. Parsons for perha-
nent organization and for an executive
committee of nine, of which the chair
man and secretary of the convention
shall be members, was adopted. This
committee is charged with the duty to
memorabilia the Legislature for legisla-
ton along the lines of the demands of
this convention.
Mr.. Parsons, of Lincoln, who stated
he could not be here tomorrow, was
rendered a unanimous vote of thanks
by the convention for splendid ser
vice as delegate. He was asked to ex-
plain the working of county convicts
in his county, and greatly interested
the convention. 1t was magnificent
success. raising, in addition to cotton
hogs, cattle, hay, melons and other
products.
The net result of the convention,
which adjourned Thursday afternoon,
was an agreement on what should be
asked at the hands of the Legislature.
the creation of permanent organiza-
ton and the appointment of memo
rial committee to take up the mat
tiers on which legislation is urged with
the lawmakers. The memorial COM
mittee is composed of Hons. r. w.
Stewart, of Madison: p. f. Williams.
of Pearl River: w. +. Parsons. of Lin
coin; j. l.. Cobb, of Calhoun: William
Ainsworth, of Copiah; h. E. Foster, of
lssaquena; j. f. Jeffreys, of Marshall;
A. G.. Lewis, of Kinds, and j. Il. Clark,
of Harrison.
Chief among the reforms are:
First-A law abolishing all road legis-
lation, and clothing the supervisors of
the seventy-five counties with absolute
control of the roads, ferries and bridges
of their respective counties.
Second -Legislation that will com
pei all holders of Indebtedness to give
in same to assessors, and making fail
ure to do so invalidate the claim for
the same as failure to pay
privilege license.
Third-That the law as to drawing
grand juries be changed back to the
old method of having the supervisors
to appoint.
A proposition looking to the abolish
ment of the office of county treasurer
was voted down almost unanimously.
a resolution was adopted memorial
ling the Legislature to provide a uni
form system of punishment for county
convicts, it being shown supervisors
and contractors are now liable to pun
iShment by the courts when county
convict is whipped for meanness and
Secretary Williams took the floor and
urged the convention to work for
change in the school age from 5 to
years, but the proposition WAS de-
feated, the Delta representatives being
on the ground that they
would never get up school unless
they took in the children of tender
age.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Jefries
was adopted nemorialiZing the Legis-
lature to change the Constitution so
as to permit Boards of Supervisors to
lease convicts out of their county.
A resolution by Mr.. Newman, of
Amite, wou.d amenI the law pay ing
according to population of
their counties for eight to twelve days.
By a rising vote the convention
Hon. r. W. Stewart, the
originator of the meeting; Gov. Longi-
no for his address, and Attorney Cen
eral McClurg for his advice, after
which there was sine die adjourn
ment.
ISnnSnynlt ~ a Writer.
Enr d man NOT uat 40 the nntnnt Of