The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1903-09-17
PENSION FIGURES
NOT GIVEN OUT.
Clerk Simonton Adopts an Entirely New
Plan.
ROLLS WILL BE VERY LARGE
And Il Is Thought the Individual Pensions
of Non-Preferred Pensioners Will Have
to be Reduced Somewhat-..Educationaf
Work OF State Snpt., Bearing Fruit.

to be Reduced Observation-Disclosures
Work OF State Supt., Bearing Fruit.
Jackson.-The pension rolls from
the various counties in the State are
being received ct the Office OF the au-
ditor. Pension Clerk Simonton says
that he will not give out the figures for
any Of the counties until he has re-
ceived all of the returns. Then he
will give out statement ia tabular
form, allowing the increase or decrease
in the different counties. He stated
that all of the rolls received so far
show an increase over last year, which
was the high-water year for pensions.
The last legislature changed the mode
OF selecting applicants. putting it into
the hands OF a county board composed
OF old Confederate soldiers. It was
formerly the duty of the severa
boards of supervisors to pass on tha
applicants. The boards in almost ev-
cry county in the State increased the
number of pensioners. In some in
stances the increase was exceedingly
large, while in others it was not so
large. Tt is believed that there will be
an increase this year over the number
reported last year, and this will have
F, the effect of cutting down the amount
that each pensioner of the non-pre-
ferrred class is to receive. The
amount appropriated by the State each
year for pensions is 5000, 900, but ID
has been found that the amount ar1
propriated, which has been increased
by the legislature every two years, il
not sutf cient to keep up with the in
crease in the number Of those who de-
sire to enjoy the States bounty.
Pike county is entitled to the blue
ribbon for the biggest increase in her
personal assessment, The roll from
that county shows that the personal
property is valued at $l,859, 750,
which is an increase of 1926, 483. This
is the largest increase reported from
any county yet. Heretofore, Jones
county has been in the lead, having re-
ported an incr ease of 500, 900. The
number of polls in this county has
also made remarkable gain over last
year. This year they number 5,579.
which is an increase of GIG over the
number reported last year.
In justice court here few days
ago the irony of fate overlook negro
preacher. He was arrested for refus-
ing to let his mules work on the pub
lie roads when called on to do 80 by
the overseer. The negro claimed that
the fact that he was a preacher ex-
empted him and his mules. The JUS
tice did not take this view of it, and
fined the negro 81 day each for the
mules, which made the total SIC. He
asked to be allowed to consult law
yer, and was compelled to pay the sum
of $40 before getting advice. The law
yer advised him that his construction
of the law was wrong and to pay the
6ne. which he did.
Sheriff Martin, of Smith county has
taken Robert Adams, the young white
man who has been in Jail in this city,
back to Smith county, to stand trial.
Adams was indicted for the killing
Of a young man named Sullivan, whom
he shot five times. An examination
after the shooting disclosed that the
places where the bullet entered SuIli-
vans body could be covered by silver
half dollar. Adams AYERS that tho
killing was done in self-defense. He
and Sullivan was in love with the same
girl, and had been enemies for SONS
time.
Cotton is opening very rapidly now,
and the picking season is in full
swing. Very little of the staple has
been placed on the market. The cool
weather has been detrimental to tina
cotton crop, and the drought cut off
the peas, potatoes. fruits and gardens
in this locality.
There are only few sheriffs who
have as yet not made their settlements
| with the Auditor. The amounts paid
in by all the sheriffs have been small.
and the receipts of the treasury for
this month have been only about $780,