The Tupelo journal., 1907-01-04

and those well titled is growing in our
State, and it is suggested that in this
way will the labor problem finally be
solved. Reports on the number and size
of farms for the past forty years bear
this out. 1t is generally conceded that
in a number of years the land in Missis-
sippi will be largely owned by those
who till it themselves, and this is a
happy state of affairs if the owners are
good people who will make substantial
citizens n support III state institu-
tions and obey the law. The great delta
would undergo the most revolutionary
change, being owned in larger bodies than
any section of the State, with the pos
sible exception of a few holders of pine
timber lands in the south end of the
State. Editor Chapman of the India
nola Enterprise sees in this coming
change of conditions a more satisfactory
state of affairs, and expresses this view
in a strong editorial. As stated before,
the only danger lies in getting a class
of people who are not willing to conform
to our laws and customs. 1t is a mat
ter about which there can be no differ
ence of opinion that a State of small
holders is preferable to me of large
holdings, and at the present rate of
progress Mississippi bids fair to be just
that kind of a State. 1t will be a radi-
cal change from ante-hellum conditions,
but one that is very likely to be for the
best of all concerned.
Insurance Commissioner Folk of Ten
nessee, aided by the commissioners OF
Alabama, Arkansas and other States, is
making a hard fight against the old life
insurance companies for the illegal use
of money that rightfully belongs to
policy holders for the purpose of secur-
ing proxies to use In the election of
officers that are to their liking and will
continue in the old ways of doing
things. The commissioners of a num-
Der of our Southern States have been
very active in efforts to protect the in
~terests of their policy holders and are
deserving of commentator. 1t was hoped
that the revelations and Investigations
of the past few years would purify the
atmosphere around the old companies,
but apparently it is still as foul as
ever. This is a subject that should
deeply interest thousands of MISSISSIPPI
plans who are paying millions annually
" LtoC companies 40 biNLiiuhh' va pm
cies. Past exposures demand that there
be a cleaning out of those in charge OF
these institutions, but it looks as if this
would be impossible, Proxies have been
secured to such an extent that it is be-
lieved that the administration ticket put
out by these already in charge will be
elected. In that event, IL people may
expect a repetition of the disgraceful and
dishonest methods employed in the past.
The establishment of an agricultural
school in every Congressional district of
the State would be an excellent move.
Labor conditions demand a change in
the method of handling our farms and
to insure intelligent farming we must
have schools where it is taught handy
to all. BY such a method the drudgery
and unpleasant features of farm life can
be eliminated and the farm made more
inviting. Then our young men will not
be so eager to leave the farm for the
professions and homes in the cities and
towns. This is Il subject worthy of
thought by all our people and is one that
will be thought about a great deal in
the future.
In boring for water at Yazoo City a
vein of soft coal IS feet in thickness
was encountered at a depth of IS feet
The coal will be given a thorough test
and if found of value arrangements fol
mining it will be promptly made. a
supply of coal would be of inestimable
worth to that town, affording cheap fuel
for manufacturing plants, a matter of
great Importance in the industrial devel
opment of our Mississippi cities. Let us
hope that it will prove of sufficient age
to supply the demand for factory fuel.
The Ripley Sentinel lifts the %proverb-
ial rag in the line of sweet potatoes.
Editor Anderson received five from one
hill that weighed twenty pounds, only
recurring three hills to weigh a bushel.
Estimating the possible yield from an
acre of potatoes like this it would be
thus: Allowing one hill for three feet
each way there would be 1900 hills to
the acre. and counting three hills to the
bushel the yield would, of course, be H.
633 bushels. The cake, belt, etc., is
yours, Bro. Anderson.
Mississippi is honored by having one of
her native son as president OF the
Southern railway, one of the greatest
systems in the Union. w. w. Finley
first began his railroad work on the
road. running from New Orleans to Jack
son. now a part of the Illinois Central
system. He began in 1875 and has
steadily assembled the ladder to II of
the most important positions in the
whole country.
Centerville has sold bonds for the
erection of an ~up-to-date public school
building, and it will be in readiness for
the opening next fall. Considerable
money will also be expended in improv-
ing the streets and sidewalks. Center
vile is progressing along all lines and
is one of the l~iyeliest little cities in the
State.
Yazoo City is spending $4,000 in the
construction of a city hall, an admins
tration building for the city officials.
This will be quite an addition to the
number of handsome structures in the
new Yazoo that has sprung up since the
great fire of two years since.
=
Cotton remains a fair price, despite
tho manipulation of spectators that en-
deavored to hammer the price on the
report made by the government Census
Bureau. The world needs more than
twelve and a half million bales, and not
a pound should be sold for less than 10
cents.
The improvement in stock is a good