The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1906-09-05
part of the aldermen to decrease

part Of the aldermen to decrease
expenses.
Such being the old law, and It's
operation, the legislature saw the
evils. It recognized the fact that
only the professional politician,
with nothing else to do, could
afford to hold the office Of mayor.
In the new chapter on municipali-
ties, in the new code, it made rad.
ical and far-reaching changes.
| The duties of the mayor, under
the new law, remain the same and
also of the clerk, with the addition
Iof the following, as far as the
lclerk is concerned:
He. keeps the permanent docket
OF the police court upon which all
cases shall be entered for trial.
He is the clerk of the police
court, and is required to attend
its sittings.
He keeps the minute book of
the police court, issues all pro-
cesses, administers oaths, takes
Acknowledgements, etc., and is en-
titled to the fees allowed by law
for similar officers.
His Office is created by law, and
must be filed, just the same as the
office of mayor, marshal or police
justice. The law commands the
election of this officer, and we
must obey.
With reference, now, to police
justice. Section 1898 of the new
code provides:
There is hereby created po-
lice court IN municipalities of the
State, to be presided over by a
police justice. +"
The section then provides for
the election of such an officer by
the people IN cities of 5000 in
habitants. In cities of 1000 it
provides that he shall be an attor-
ney at law In addition to other
qualifications, and that he shall
receive a salary of $75 or more
per month. Section 1899 deals
with cities under 1000, and
provides that the police justice
may be elected by the Board Of
Mayor and Aldermen. He is not
required to be an attorney at law,
nor does the law fix his salary.
II be is qualified to be mayor, be
would be qualified to be police
justice, and by virtue Of his office,
he is also justice of the peace in
the municipality. He must be
elected, by the people in cities of
1000, and he may be elected by
the Mayor and Board of Alder
men In 'cities'' of less number.
In city of this size, the board
may provide salary for him, or
it may provide for costs, and in
any event, as justice Of the peace,
he will be entitled to the fees pro-
Vided by law.
It will be seen that there must
be such an officer, and as he is re-
quired to hold open his court
every day except Sundays and
& al holidays, If the mayor acts
es police justice, only those who
are willing to give up their other
business can afford to be mayor.
DR.. o. B. Quinn, a member Of
the State Board of Health, and a
prominent physician, is mayor of
McCumb City, while a separate
police justice is chosen; and so,
Mr.. w. B. Griffith, president of
one of the prominent banks of
Vicksburg, is mayor of that city,
while another party is police JUS
tice.
In advocating the divorce of
the mayor from the Office of police
justice in Brookhayen | want it
understood that | was not trying
in any way to further the candi-
dacy of either of the prominent
candidates for that office. / was
actuated purely by motives of
patriotism. ! wanted to see
Brookhaven have mayor from
amongst the hundreds of good
men who are qualified and not
chosen from the very few who
make public office profession or
a business. The office of police
justice, which is fatter in perquis-
ties than that Of mayor, is open
for the men who want a job that
pays the coin, while the Office of
mayor is open to that other class
of men who would take pride in
serving the city for the honor,
without regard to the pay. de-
sired, and the meeting desired,
that the people be given an OPP
portunity to choose amongst
themselves their most progressive
and most active man to serve for
honor's sake and push good
town on and at the same time be
able to prosecute his private busi-
ness. | do not wish to detract
from the attainments Of the two
worthy gentlemen who are seek
ing the office Of mayor. but | do
think, in justice to other good
men. that the field should be en-
larged and the people given The
privilege OF choosing both may
or and police justice.
It has come to my ears that
some person or persons have been
attributing my efforts in this
matter to selfish motives. It has
been reported to me that some
persons have suggested that / am
d candidate for mayor, or that /.
expect to be and that for that rea-
son | am advocating the separa.
ti0n of the two Offices. Allow me.