Okolona messenger., 1903-04-22

SOME STATE ACCOMMODATIONS.
From the okOlona sUn. this week
Jackson, Miss, April II, 1908.
Editor SUN:
AS there has been some little dis
cussion In the public prints of peni-
tentiary Affairs, and the successful
operation OF this institution has In
some quarters been called into ques-
ton. Ihave thought 1t might be OF
interest and information to the public
to submit through your columns the
true valuations Of penitentiary prop
erty as taken from the recorded ap-
praisements. The statement below
shows the same from 1895 to 1908 in
clusive:
Inventory 1s95... ............ 1927, ,296. q
This includes the Jackson penlten-
tiary property, valued at. ...... 1882. .65
Inventory 1885,. ..,... ....... 271, ,sOO.Os
This includes the Jackson peniten-
tiaTy property, valued at....... 19O,5s5.17
Inventory 1897. 97.................... 196, S30.65
This includes Jackson penitentiary
realty valued at..... ... ...... 100000
Inventory 1898. ....... ....... 191, ,121 27
This includes Jackson penitentiary
realty. valued at.....,.......... 100000
Inventory 1s99..... ............. 2O2, 565 O9
This includes jackson realty, val
ued dat..............,,.. ......... 100000
Inventory 1900. OO.................... 900, 5s1. rs
This includes jackson penitentlary
reaity........................... :. 100000
Inventory 19O1................... 44,6ss.16
This includes the new state farm,
valued at........................ 7e,67s.6 GO
Inventory 1sO2.......... .......... 500, ,s1e.71
This includes the new state farm,
valued at................... .... 100000
Inventory 19OS... ................ sos, ,747.O1
This includes the new state farm,
valued at...... ............ -. SOOOOOO0
The appropriation to pay for the
new state farm was made out Of funds
to the credit Of the penitentiary in the
state treasury, and which had been
paid into the treasury by the peniten.
tiary.
1t will be noted that the old psni-
tentiary property in jackson, valued
in 1895 st S117, 7,Ss2.65, and in 1897 at
$3.50, ,5S5.17, which included personall-
ty, and for 1898, 1899 and 1900 at S76,-
10000, which included only realty,
was by legislative enactment taken
from the penitentiary authorities and
turned over to the new state capitol
commission, without compensation to
the penitentisry. The penitentiary
iS, therefore, fairly entitled to have
amount Of this property considered as
profits turned into the state treasury.
As to the increased valuation of the
new state farm property from S79,-
67s.6S In 1901 to $500, 900. 90 in 1908, this
was brought about mainly by clear
ing of land, and erection OF improve
ments, by convict labor.
As regards this property the ap-
pralsers of 1908 say:
1--WE rate the new farm at $500,
10000 because from our information
IL could be sold for that amount 10
thirty days. We are ready to credit
this information, for the reason that
the land now ready for the plow,
could be easily rented ct $500 per
acre making S42,OOOOO rental. This is
fifteen per cent on $500, 100000, the
amount we appraise 1t at. It is USE
less to say that this sort of invest
ment does not go begging. We be-
Heve that the appralsement of it is
low. This does not take into account
any timber"
Mr.. Editor, hoping that you will
find space in your valued columns for
the above communication I remain
yours truly, HENRY B. LACEY.
The supreme court has decided ad-
versely against the state revenue
agent in the test cases against the
building and loan associations outside
Of the state doing business with the
people of Mississippi. The court holds
that the claim of the revenue agent
that the loans represent interest In
the lands used as security to the
extent that they are taxable is wrong.