Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-03-04

are going to run against a fatal snag. The people
Of Mississippi insisting upon their right to cut
the cards. and while the deck in their hands, they
are going to shuttle it a little also In other words,
though this lore is not Greek to the political bosses
now in the saddle at Jack son. the people, in the
selection of their officials TO succeed the present
combination, propose to have more to say about
what the personnel Of the next administration shall
be than they have in the past been permitted. The
new primary election law gives them this right, and
they will exercise it, matter what plans may be
arranged for them by the Jackson crowd.
What has been the policy OF the present admins
tratiOn, Of which the people have cause for com.
plainti
It would be tireless task to attempt anything
like aiul recital It is enough to know that instead
OF the effort being made to handle the affairs Of
state in business like way as to suggest to the
taxpayers that their business interests we're being
guarded the entire trend has been to squander the
public funds in every conceivable manner. The sp-
preparations demanded by the governor Of the last
legislature we're simply enormous. An immense
sum Of ready money had suddenly found its way
into the treasury in the early days Of the present
administration, and the only thought seemed to be
that it must be spent. It was spent.
/
by one Edgar 8. Wilson, Federal sppOihtee Of
President Roosevelt the head of the news bureau,
and brOther-in.law Of the present Gov rnOr. The
entire line Of policy Of those under the influence Of
Mr. Wilson, has seemingly been to please and tOdy
to the spectacular President, and it is generally
understood that the Governor when ont OF the pay
Of ts state is also to be provided with lucrative
Fedora position. This prospect may look rosy to
the Governor, but the people Of Mississippi ere not
grateful for the promised distinction. They protest
against having the affairs of their state shaped
especially to curry the favor Of so repulsve to
their ideas OF right justice and common deCency as
is Mr. Roosevelt.
What is the attitude OF this Jackson combination,
relative to the selection Of their successors in state
affairs, to which the people Justly prOtesti
1 Well, there are many Of them, perhaps too great
number to be enumerated in single dash, but
some vital and pressing that a casual refer
ence TO them may not be uninIerestng.
In the first place, the people are heartily tired OF
the gang that is running things and any suggestion
from it's spOkesmen suggestive OF outlining future
action Of the state is considerably below par. The
revolt is naturally determined against the RoOse-
velt. Wilson LOnginO rule in Mississippi That they
should assume to dictate to the people who shall be
chosen as the future officers of the state s an insult
which it is rational to assume will be branded with
no uncertain emphasis when the people take vote
on the question. Under this molly gang Of nesters
the plan has been adopted to ignore those the
masses seem to want, and to foster upon them can
didates for various positions which can be relied
upon to continue the present jackson pull in tact
The people are not fools, and can see what sort Of
traps are set for them.
The gall Of this Jackson combination is really
monumental. Not satisfied with the free sway they
have had for three years. they strive to perpetuate
their pull, going to the extent Of picking out
candidates to be submitted TO the people four years
hence. OF course they figure that if man is sent
out into the field with the prestige Of their Combna
On behind him, he cannot fail to win and in order
to strengthen their cause, they have promised tll
manner Of patronage to prominent workers in vari.
Ous sections Of this state, and il some instances
gone So far as to tickle the vanity Of some by the
assurance that they shall be enrolled for candidates
for the more important positions on the state ticket
four years from this fall.
This is certainly assuming great amount Of
power. If We do not miss our guess on the temper
Of the people this fall, there will not be fragment
of the present crowd in position four years from
today to redeem one Of these pledges.
There is something in the heart Of every inde-
pendent spirited man, no matter how modestly he
may be situated, which naturally arrays him in
Opposition to such tactics as this. He doesn't want
to be listed as an individual with a collar on his
neck Political bossism is the most revolving thing
4 he can contemplate.
With such man the attitude Of the jackson