Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1905-03-29

strikes out to regulate the entire universe Offering
his opinion in opposition to all the scholars that hav
lived and all the statesmen that have died. Wha
he requires, however, in ability and learning b,
makes up in cheek and brazen afirOntry, and II
time he becomes the recognized dictator Of the lit
community where he resides. Ifhe is not conten
with this and aspires to fields larger and broader Il
conquer, bis neighbOrs meet and resOlute on hi
genus,an bid him farewell. He departs and the mex
heard Of him he is broke and coming back to live Of
his wiie's people. But he had his day Of deceiyin
the people he elected to enlighten, though be va
as ignorant as a steer himself.
But all this is supplemental If not entirely iOreig
to the subject intended to be discussed in this
ticIe. The thought paramount is that the people 0
this entire land, seem never to realize that it i
themselves and not the great combinations OF whic
they are constantly complaining, who are to blam
for many Of the abuses that are endured
One Of the most incOneeivabIe things with whicl
the country comes in contact today is the read
manner in which the greatcOrpOratiOns and combine
Of capital, whose managers seem to feel they have
right not only to the earth but to all that is thereon
IS we'll, eau weave their siken webs about the mas
ses in such way as to hold their sway despite th
Inconsistencies Of the demands. In other words
no matter how resOlutely the people may become t
curb growing evil or abuse at the hands of cOrpoI
ate concerns, how strong the laws may be made 0
how righteous may be the demands Il seems, whe
needs be, that the representatives. Of these gganti
interests, always selfish and never c0nsiderate
personal rights in conflict with them, they are abl
to so mould public sentiment as to carry thei
point, or at least get the masses on their side OF
question at issue.
case in point is presented just now By some
our neighbors over in Pontotoc county For
number Of years POntOtoc has had operated to thei
town, from the north, under a charter granted b
the state, jerk water railroad known as narroi
gauge. Il was little better than no railroad, al
the people were content enough with it until it wa
bought by modern company and made over into
standard road and its extension on toward the sout
undertaken. POntotoc had railroad and was har
py, for her people could assemble about the depe
once day and see the cars come in.
Under the new order, however also came sorrow
Tie new company concluded that Pontotoe vas
slow old town, and that If they wished, it woul
probably be just as we'll to change the line Of road
as they claimed by strengthening it, and leave th
old town three miles from the depot By bnyin
up the land quietly in the vicinity where the ne
depot vas to be erected, the plan to build a ne,
town and cut out PontOtOe from railroad service va
we'll laid BY Che spectators working under the raj
road company
But these people who thought the undertaken
would be 80 easily accomplished, seem ho hav
overlooked the fact that the constitution Of th
state q Mississippi might put a stop to their We
laid plan. There is provision in the c0nstitutio
which says that when a railroad runs within tire
miles Of q county seat it must run through ii
town. Pontotic is the county seat. and here th
schemers find themselves against a stone van.
The new line Of road has been constructed and a
arrangements made for the depot when the peopl
Of Pontotoo awaken and file a protest before IS
railroad commission.
The railroad schemers know their business. The
have scbemed before. True to the system adopts
by the great combines OF the country they realize
soon tnat in order 60 have the slightest chance {
maintaining their position, their fret move must
to mould public sentiment 10 their favor, and the
soon had at work, az through pontotoc county. an
even few in the town, local miasloners whisbsrin
how impossible it would be ior the new line
change its course and pass through Pontotoo. ii
people we're soon shown that to defv tie plans !
The railroad would mean probably loosing tie roa
entirely and the outlet 70 the sonlh which was
much desired
&tAA-A-s4t farmers who nuv and shin stock NEeE