Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1905-11-25
BY II. +. BLAKESLEE. Jackson

The proposition to establish Mis-
sissippi life insurance company has
definite form and a canvas OF the State
Is being made to secure the necessary
stock and applications for insurance.
1t is proposed to call it The Lamar Mu-
tual Life Insurance Compay Of Missis-
sippi. 1t will be a mutual company in
every sense OF the w0rd. a company
Of, for and by the policy holders.
While the laws of the State require
that capital stock of $1,000 shall be
paid in, in addition to this, $50, 600 will
be paid in as surplus to insure the
company going through the first three
years without impairment. This capi-
tai and surplus will be retired just as
soon as the surplus reaches the limita-
tions placed on it by law. Then it will
be mutual company from every stand
point. The policy holders will elect
officers and control their own company.
All profits will 60 to policy holders,
there being no stockholders to share as
long as they desire before making a
division. Splendid headway is being
made, the people being anxious to pat
ronize q home company. Organization
will be effected in January and busi-
ness commenced.
The writer has been contending for
this kind OF an organization for ten
years and is of course much gratiiied at
the turn affairs have taken. II means
that In the near future our people
will quit sending their millions to the
North and keep 1t here at home to aid
In the development of our great country.
That we will not in the future make
contributions to campaign fund and
have the gigantic money corporations
using the money sent them in trust to
thwart our honest efforts. That our
money will no longer flow into channels
creating combinations that it will al
most take revolution to overthrow.
Then it means that, being strictly mu-
.ual, we will not have the grasping
tendency OF money-mad financiers, even
among our own people, to fight in the
future. 1t means that we will have d
Mississippi company in which the
profits go to the policy holder and to
him alone. II will be economically and
honestly managed In the interest of the
policy holder.
The first Saturday in December has
been designated as the day for election
OF officers for the various divisions OF
the Mississippi division OF the Southern
Cotton Association. The people are
urged to attend these meetings and
select good and active men to fill the
places during the year to come. Presi-
dent Clark says: II feel sure that all
fair-minded men will agree with the
that the Southern Cotton Association
has accomplished some good. That
much more can be accomplished by u
better organization | feel assured"
Those who have kept track Of what has
been accomplished by the Association
will heartily agree with Mr.. Clark,
aud more; those who have kept an eye
on the organization in Mississippi will
sgree that the leading figure in the as
sociation here is Hon. Walter Clark,
and that largely to his effort, with the
efficient cooperation OF Sec. Woods, is
due the success of the movement. In a
short time it will be necessary to elect
a president for the whole Association,
and we, of Mississippi, who are aware
of the intensity of the purpose and
freedom from mercenary motives which
characterizes the action of Mr.. Clark,
hope to see him placed at the head of
the Association. Such action would
not como SO much to Mr.. Clark as an
honor as it would be an honor to the
Association.
Encourage the several train loads of
homeseekers that will be with us this
week to buy land and locate in Missis-
sippi. They are generally good citi-
zens, thrifty and frugal. We need
thousands of such families to aid us in
developing our country and making
every acre of land produce something
to supply the needs of the world.
As has been remarked before by this
writer, Mississippi is one of the five
States in the Union that is entirely free
from grating in high places. This
distinction is accorded by a well-known
writer who is in position to know.
Now our people should think more of
this distinction than would at first APP
pear. 1t means that we are still free
from the despicable political CRATER
who by questionable means has himself
elected to an Office, and then by more
questionable means uses the functions
Of that office to his gain. Such action
has become so common in many States
that it is little thought Of, and the
practice is becoming more general
year by year. Let us thank God that
such is not the case in Mississippi, and
at the same time be ever alert to the
first symptom of such methods in our
State. Nip it in the bud. When an
official, be he high or low, is detected
in anything that smacks of graft,
promptly and without ceremony rele-
gate him to the rear or the peniten-
tiary, where he belongs. 1t is the duty
of every good citizen to keep an open
eye for such reprehensible practices
and never allow them to gain foot
hold in our State. Keep out strict
watch.
While the oyster industry of Missis-
sippi will never equal the amount rc.
ceived for the cotton crop, it is one of
considerable Importance and growing
all the time. Tho system of planting
and protecting the young oysters as
sures its permanency and the prospect
for q largely increased business in the
future is excellent, The Mississippi
oyster is not excclled in flavor by those
taken from any waters, and in the Nst
few years has grown in great favor
with the leading hotels and restaurants
Of the country. The industry should
be tostered and aided as far as possible
by the legislative and law-making
bodies.
Are you doing your duty as a citizen?
II so you have written some friend in a
distant State of the great advantages
OF our State or spoken good word In
some other way. Keep up the good
work.
Several train loads Of homescekers
will visit the State between this and
Xmas. They come here for the pur-
pose of buying land and making this
their future home. Lend them every
encouragement. We need good people
to assist in the work of development.
A great many of these are the kind of
people we need Help to locate them
with US,