Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1905-10-21
BY II. +. BLAKESLEE, Jackson

The editor Of this department has re.
ceived so many letters recently concern
ing the proposed Mississippi Life AS
sociation that it is an impossibility to
answer all Of them and give the infor-
nation asked for. A gratifying in
tercst is being shown all over the
State. Numbers Of lettcrsexpressing
desire to take stock have been received
and applications for insurance are com
ing in lunches Of ten to fifty.
The writer has no fixed plan to pro-
pose for organizing the company, more
than that IL shall be upon lines recog-
nized as just and equitable. A number
of the most prominent and reliable in
surance men in the State are enlisted
in the work and will envolve the plan.
All that we desire is to organize a
company owned and managed by Mis-
sissippians, which will be under the di-
rect supervision Of the State Insurance
Department, paying no enormous sal
aries and returning 10 policy holders
every cent that the premiums paid
earn. That's all.
Almost all OF the present State Of
ficials favor the movement and have
signed applications for policies. Gov
ernor Vardaman has signed an appli-
cation and in refusing to longer pay on
a policy in one OF the old companies,
gave expression to the following.
AtI thfnlr n11n that h., 20 Oh al 4
take hand in helping the organization
of such companies" referring to home
concerns. Life insurance is solely for
the protection of widows and orphans,
and State could not do better than as
sist in the organization and supervision
of companies for pcrfecting this pro-
lection, cheapening the rate Of in
surance and enabling those who would
be otherwise destitute, to educate their
children to the highest types of man
hood and womanhood.
~ think that every Southern man
ought TO cease patrOnizing these mon
ster insurance trusts that are fattening
every day off the millions drained out
Of the South, and are using the very
money we contribute in strengthing the
clutch which they hold on the Republi-
can party and in maintaining the com
mercial supremacy of the East, which
is pauperizing the laborng classes of
the country. This money that we
Southern men pay in life insurance
premiums finds its way into Republican
campaign purses, and finds its way into
the gigantic financial swindles, con-
cocted in Wall Street, for manipulating
the markets of the world ana enriching
the operators at the expense of the
laboring man. Every man who holds a
policy of insurance in these concerns
Is practically contributing money to a
fund which is used largely for pauper-
izing the South"
This statement from the Governor
covers the situation pretty fully, Con-
tnued investigation is unearthing fraud
and misappropriation of funds every
day. The Mutual is now on the grid
iron and is showing up equally as bad
as the Equitable and the New York
Life. One family of grafters have re-
ceived more than S4000,0O0 from the
concern on premiums and renewals,
A number of State Insurance Commits
sioners are arranging to begin cam
paign in the interest of the policy hold
crs In their respective States. 1t is
predicted that the agitation at present
being waged will be the entering wedge
that will eventually overthrow the
whole fabric of insurance and finance.
Whether this prediction comes true or
not, 1t is to the interest of our people to
arrange so that they will not have to
pay tribute to this gang any longer.
A life insurance company organized on
business principles and managed by
honest men can and will pay in Missis-
sippi as well as in New York, II we
suspicion that any man connected with
it is not doing just as he should, inves-
tigate him and throw him out if it Is
found that he Is not doing his duty,
II will be here In our own State where
we can and will control it. This we
can't do with the companies at pres
cnt doing business here
We want 1000 applications for
policies by those who favor the move
ment by January |. II you are inter
ested, write for blanks and have your
friends sign them and return to the
editor of this department. 1t is sub
ject that should interest all loyal citi-
zens who desire to see their State pros
per in the future by cutting loose from
the corrupt influences of Eastern money
changers.
After so many years Mississippi has
a first-class battleship to bear her name.
The vessel was recently launched at
Philadelphia, Senator Money repre-.
senting the governor, who could not be
present on account Of press of other
duties. The State should do the proper
and usual thing by presenting the ship
with silver service that will be a
credit to the commonwealth it repre-
Bents.
Memphis proposes Tri-State Fair
to be held each year in thatc city. While
the project might be very good one if
properly carried ont, it will be we'll to
go slow and investigate fully before 90.
ing heartily into the scheme. Mem.
phis is centrally located point for such
an exhibition, and the proposition
might be made a success.
The survey for branch of the Hi
nois Central to run from Corinth to
Jasper, Ala, has been about completed,
and the people along the proposed route
are hopeful that work will be com
menced shortly. The line will tap q
section of country in Mississippi that
has been without rail transportation.
ltawamba county Is one ofrhe two coun-
ties in the State at present without a
railroad, and this line will take 1t out
of that column. Leake, the other, is
promised road which Is to run up
Pearl river from Jackson, and will pe
built early next year, SO II looks as II
there would be no county without a
road in less than eighteen months.
Mississippi needs men who are will.
Ing 10 work ard assist in developing
the wonderful resources of the State
There seems to be a healthy business
revival at Leland in spite OF the strict
quarantine, Cotton is being received
realizing large volume Of money.
The oil mill Is running night and day.
The lumber mills have orders ahead to
run three months and are running over
time to keep up with the trade, The
merchants have cheerful look upon
their faces, showing they are sharing
their part in tine work. There also has
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