The Kemper herald. (Scooba, Miss.) 1875-1908, 1905-06-29
By H. z. BLAKEsLEs, Jackson. Mss.

H. E. bLAKESLEEs JaeksOns Mss. !
The writer's contention for the pat
rohage Of home industries, everything
else being equal, is too well known to
the readers Of this department. In
the recent adoption Of School books
for use in the state for the coming
five years, the only publication of
fered by Mississippi concern was a
set Of copy books. These books were
prepared by lady who ranks as one
of the leading educators Of the south,
they were gotten up iii excellent shape
and were offered as low as any first
class copy book. A very strong point
in favor Of this home book was that
the text of copy was historical facts
concerning Mississippi 1t not only
taught the child to correctly form
letters and words, but impressed upon
the mind, pertinent facts concerning
the state. While the right Of the
commission to adopt any book it pleas
ed is not questioned, it does seem that
the Mississippi book should have been
given the preference over one pub
lished in Chicago. SO long as we fail
to encourage our southern people to
furnish matter of this character, so
long will they fail to do SO. A start
should be made in this direction so
that we can in the future cut loose
from the domination of Bosting and
the East when it comes to books for
the use Of our children.
AS has been remarked before in
this department, Mississippi needs
thousands of families Of good people
that will come here and make from
twenty to sixty acres of land furnish
liberal sustenance for that family.
There are hundreds Of thousands of
acres of land lying idle that could be
made to do this with little energy
and common sense properly expended
The Germans and Scandinavians who
come here do this and make splendid
citizens. They are the right kind of
immigration that is so often spoken
of. They make good citizens, work
hard and are not vicious and mean
The state is at disadvantage in Sc
curing immigration Of this kind from
the fact there is no department of
immigration, and we are compelled
to take what is left Of immigrants af-
ter the other states have had their
pick Of the lot. The legislature at its
next session will have the opportuni-
ty Of remedying this evil by creating
such a place. 1t could be made a
valuable department for the state and
the cost would be very small indeed.
The Poplarville Free Press has re-
Gently taken up the contention of this
writer with reference to the assess
ment on lands held by foreigners in
Mississippi. This paper says that
two-thirds of the land in Pearl River
county is owned by outsiders and that
it is assessed at less than one-fourth
what it is worth. What is here stat
ed as to facts as to Pearl River, is
also true Of almost every county In
the state. Immense tracts of lands
are being held by outsiders for an in
crease in price, which is coming fast:
it is assessed at only small per cent
Of what it is worth and thereby pays
but little of the amount necessary to
bring about the increase. All lands
should be assessed at something like
their value and the foreign holder has
no right to complain at paying his
share Of tax to be used in making his
property more valuable. 1t is with
in the power of tie assessors and SUI
pervisors to remedy this evil and 1t
should certainly be done.
Union and number of other coun-
ties in that section Of the state re-
port splendid fruit crop. A canning
factory is being built at New Albany
and market will be furnished for all
fruit and vegetables that can be pro-
duced. The people up there have al
ways raised plenty Of fruit for home
consumption and some to spare, and
are now arranging to make the busl-
ness a profitable one along with cot
ton and corn. The famous Pontotot
ridge is said by those who know, to
be one of the best fruit raising Sec
tions Of the state, and it goes without
saying that their efforts will be crown.
ed with success.
The little city Of Montrose in JAS
per is real one. Although very young
in years, it has already installed sys-
tenn Of electric lights and will soor
put in waterworks. The citizens are
prosperous and happy believing in the
future Of their town and spending
their money to back such a belief.
The up-to-date merchant does moi
advertise three months in the year
but twelve.
The weather has been fine during
the past few weeks and crop condi