The Grenada sentinel., 1907-02-09

vice in Mississippi is already too high
and being increased on every pretext,
come the announcement from Clarksdale
that an agreement has been reached with
the Cumberland at that place and a con-
tract signed whereby that city gets
per cent. of the gross receipts from
rentals and the free use of six phones,
with one to be adde's every time eighty
five new subscribers are connected with
the exchange. The city is also allowed
the privilege of installing fire alarm
system, to be operated by the telephone
company without charge, and the COM
pany to be liable for damage in the
event of, failure to so operate it. If
Clarksdale is entitled to this privilege
every city i'll the State is also due the
same concessions, but would it not be
much better to reduce the rate to fair
amount and allow each subscriber to
share in the reduction? The present
high rate with the graduated increase
for distance from the exchange will COM
pletely prevent the extension of rural
service, which is fast becoming an i'm
portant factor. With an equitable rate
for service, and service after the price
has been paid, in few more years al
most every farmer in the State would
be supplied with phone. The present 1
condition of affairs will prevent the
rural people altogether from the en-
joyment of this great convenience.
The newspapers of the State can al
ways be found on the right side of all
important movements, and more espe
cially when the material advancement
of our general prosperity is concerned.
1t was suggested some weeks since that
the State grow the tobacco used by the
convicts on the several farms, it having
been proven that tobacco can and is
being successfully grown here. The
slogan was taken up by a number of
papers and is being industrioNsly pushed.
1t is likely that on some part of one or
more of the farms there is land that will
prove suitable for the cultivation of
tobacco, and if the trustees would take
up this matter and make it success
the effort would be worth thousands to
the people of the State from several
standpoints. 1t would not only be fur
nishing the convicts with the tobacco
they use, but a demonstration of the
adaptability and value of tobacco as
a staple crop in Mississippi. 1t is a
suggestion worthy of careful consider
alton by the prison authorities.
Hon. Walter Clark, president of The
Cotton Association, issues a highly SEN |
sible address to the cotton growers OF !
crease in the States of Texas and Okla
homa, stimulated by large volume of
immigration and the cheapness with |
which cotton can be produced there, and
urges the people of Mississippi TO look |
the situation over carefully before pitch
ing their crop for this year. 1t would |
not be good business sense for our people |
to increase their acreage if it were likely |
tlldG lIe WOulu Dc
to figure that would bring the price
below ten cents Mr. Clark also shows |
that corn is worth Is cents in Mississippi |
and only 80 cents in the States named,
while hay bears a proportion $50 to $50 |
per ton against $40 to S12. Then it
would be better for our people to plant
less cotton and more corn and hay. 1t |
will pay every man in the State to read
this address carefully.
Considerable quantities of meat killed
during December and the first half of
January was lost on account of the
warm weather. At any rate, our good
old State has saved more than ever be-
fore, and it is to be hoped that the in
creased attention being given this inn
portant subject will insure in a few
years a sufficient supply for home use.
Hogs can be raised here more economical
ly than in the colder countries, and our
people are fearfully in their own light
in allowing their smoke houses to be
located in Chicago and Kansas City. A
change is coming, however, and in few
years it is anticipated that Mississippi
will raise her own meat.
Love for your home State is commend
able in every citizen, and it is his duty
to the State as well as his family to
always do that which will advance it's
interests. Consider its prob
lens as your own and act promptly
when opportunity affords. A man with
out such feeling is not needed and his
company is much less to be preferred
than the vacancy he would create by
getting out of the way.
Charleston is beginning to feel the ef-
fects of a railroad and increasing i'm
portance. The influx of new people has
brought about an inadequacy in the ac-
commodations for the school children,
and the citizens are up against the prop
osition of supplying the need. A mod
ern brick, to cost something like $10;-