The leader., 1904-06-04

There Is complaint coming from
some sections as to the effect of the
Wells vagrancy law, which has been
in force about one month. 1t is
claimed that the negroes are leaving
the sections from which complaint
comes and that labor is hard to SET.
This, probably from the fact that a
large number of negroes and some
whites work only small portion of
the time and depend upon gambling
and other nefarious practices to help
get along, and that the law is being en-
forced in their cases and driving them
from the country. This makes a scare
ity OF labor for odd jobs, but does not
effect the regular workers. 1t is bet
ter that such characters be out of the
State and nothing is lost by their all
aence.
The report is being persistently cir
culated that rich vein of coal has
been discovered near Troy in Ponto-
toe county. Every Mississipian hopes
that the report is true, and that Mis-
sissippi will not have to longer draw
upon her neighbor, Alabama, for
supply of fuel. There is no doubt that
splendid deposits of coal are to be
found at a number of places in the
State, but those so far investigated
have proven to be too young by sew
eral thousand years. However, the
Pontotoc find may prove to be of
better quality.
If every citizen could be induced to
write a letter once month to some
friend out of the State and tell of
the inducements offered settlers, what
would be the result in five years? 1t
is impossible to even contemplate the
advantage that would be derived We
need more people to help in the work
OF developing our resources, and this
plan, if generally adopted, would be
a colossal immigration bureau that
would work wonders. Suppose you try
try it for a few months at least. The
cost would only amount to the stamps.
The Pascagoula Commercial Club,
of Scranton, is making vigorous
campaign for the betterment of con-
ditions in that already lively city.
Hon. M. A. Dees, the secretary, has
been in st. Louis for some time dis
tributing advertising matter relative
to that section of country, and inter-
esting possible settlers. That is the
proper way to go after it, and we will
hear much more that is good from
this wide-awake organization.
=
The Newton Record makes reference
to the necessary qualifications of
supervisor. The Records article is
we'll taken. And, too, it might be
made to include the qualifications of
legislator. That the best of men
should be selected for both places is
imperative. They are the men to make
our laws and only the ablest should
be selected.
The finest of artesian water is to
be found in almost every section of
the State by boring from one to five
hundred feet A large portion of the
country is supplied with clear, bold
springs that never go dry, and there
is plenty of rainfall to keep any sized
cistern full There is no cause for
complaint by those who are on the
water wagon.
The Illinois Central Railroad offers
W 1IhpOLI lCdiluAo " WIN 1hS SoSSoA
fields of Mississippi Several large
delta farmers have been trying them
and find that they work well and are
little trouble. At the same time, it is
change In conditions that our people
will be slow to accept. There is moth
ing like the negro and the mule to
raise cotton.
The increase in land values in the
State during the past few years has
been phenomenal. The demand is
growing stronger, there being a tend
ency by all to own a piece OF land
whether they cultivate it or not. Law
| yers, merchants. doctors and every
body seem, to want some land to fall
back upon.
Hattiesburg will not let the candle
burn low without an effort to rake
| up an, Oil SPOT. Work will be renewed
on the Rawls we'll that has been aban-
doned for some time, and there still
fingers a hope that something yalu-
| able may be struck. Those people
have pluck, anyway, and deserve
something good for the expense of
| their energies.
t AS an evidence that Mississippi is
now engaged in putting up good and
| substantial buildings, it is noted that
| four large brick manufactures were
| chartered last week Hardly week
passes but that one or more like insti-
! buttons are chartered. The improve
ments being made are of nature that
forebodes good for coming generations
as well as the present.
Mississippi never was more prosper
Gus in a base ball way. Some amuse-
/ ment as we go along is necessary, and
a clean, snappy game of ball offers
much to lovers of the sport, and they
are legion
Senatobia turned on the light a few
days since and the citizens can now
get around at night with some degree
of comfort and safety. And, by the
way, that is not all that Senatobia is
doing by any means. The contract
for several buildings have been let
and other improvements are noted.
The town is experiencing healthy
growth.
The piney, woods section of the
State can boast of some pretty strong
soil. The Poplarville Free Press ac-
knowledges the receipt of three onions
i that weighed more than pound each.
A large showing in the way Of bank
deposits does not always denote a
healthy condition of affairs in com
munity. There may be a lot of money
! on deposit by few individuals and
not a cent invested in manufacturing
/ enterprises, which benefit all.
This is the time Of the year for col
Iege commandments, and the sweet
girl graduates and male cyolopaedias
are turned loose on the country. The
sterner duties of life are before them
and from now on all time will be en-
Tloyed by problems more difficult than
those attendant upon college days.
Sunny skies and the mildest of wins