The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1902-09-03
THE STOCK LAW.

DEAR EDITORIALS you have opened
the columns of The LEADER to the dis
cussion of a stock law in Lincoln
county, will say, if were before the
voters of this county for political
honors, as Mr.. A. NJ. Summers speaks
of Bro. Scarborough, and had the
slightest shadow of stock law in my
platform, I would not expect to be
nominated in any convention, Demo
cratic or Republican, and if nomi-
mated should not expect to be elected.
Let the people of Lincoln county
consider we'll; do we need a partial
stock law or law for all the stock?
If the latter be the case, why? Is it
because there is more land under
fence and in cultivation than there is
for stock to Craze upon and take care
Of themselves, as stock are doing now
for eight months in the year, and is
this grazing land needed to enlarge
the farms of this county? I do not
know of farmer who does not need
more land for grazing and less land
for cultivation. We may have a few
exceptions.
The progressive farmers can take
care of their stock under any kind of
law. But the county must favor the
farmers who need the most help.
Some of our best citizens own no land,
but are prompt to pay their taxes,
ready to support our government and
bear arms in defense of the same, if
necessary. They also give substan-
tial aid to our public schools and
churches. Many of this class own
good stock which advances them in the
support of their family and education
of their children. If the stock law be
enforced the injury to this class of
citizens will far surpass the gain by
the independent farmers.
Mr.. White reminds us that the mil
lion dollars worth of bacon sold in this
county yearly is produced under a
stock law. We must remember, also,
that it isn't produced in cotton Sec
ton. The South can many times ex-
Gel the North in stock raising of all
kinds, and food supplies, also, except
wheat. We do not need stock law to
accomplish this, but mental and phys
ical development in agriculture and
stock raising.
Many of our Lincoln county farmers
are so much in favor of expansion, if
they had the whole of Mississippi for
farm they would want sugar cane
and watermelon patch in Louisiana.
Cotton, yes, we are going to raise it
in Lincoln county as long as our poor
land will produce it and our merchants
will sell us fertilizer, corn and bacon
on credit. You had just as we'll talk
to our farmers about loving their
wives and children less, myself ex-
cepted, as to talk to them about re-
ducing their cotton acreage.
If farmer wants to experiment by
fencing his stock in let him do SO, but
don't force his neighbors to adopt his
own ideas and plans at any cost or
sacrifice. II the fencing is good the
stock can not break over, hence will
not continue to prowl about the farm.
The things that Lincoln county
farmers need most are better system
OF fencing, more thorough prepare
ton before planting, less acreage, bet
ter cultivation and at the proper time,
less cigarette stubs in the shape of
young men, less worthless dogs, more
happy homes and superb children, bet
ter graded public schools conducted
by first class teachers, and every man
a greater interest in the welfare Of his
neighbors. These will make us hap
by and prosperous people, and the ne.
cessity Of astock law will disappear.
Us. BURNS.
Fair River, Mississippi.