Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1907-06-01

The sentiment for o strict enforce
ment OF all existing laws In Mississippi,
more especially in cases of murder, is
gaining strength every year Let us
hope that this gain will be augmented
until jury will not dare turn loose
criminals of any nature to again take
up their infamous practices. From the
Magnolia News Is taken the following
strong article:
Let 1t be written upon the hearts OF
Mlsslssippians, taught in their schools,
and thundered from their pulpits and
press, that murder is infamous and the
perpetrator must atone for the crime
with his life Any other view of the
subject is unjust, unholy and unwise.
lhe MIST enlightened and religious ma
lions have found capital punishment
necessary. In Mississippi, where a
life sentence for many murders is a
farce, hanging as sovereign remedy
for the crime is most imperative. The
lives of the victims of murderers in
TINS State for the next twelve months
are worth more than the lives of all
the murderers of the past fifty years.
Deeds of violence-blood guiltiness--
has made Mississippi a byword and a
reproach, The individual citizen
should make up his mind to wash his
hands of the stain"
The disgraceful miscarriage of ius-
tice during the past few years is giving
to our State bad name, as the writer
has said, and we will suffer for all this.
1t is too often said when a crime is
committed that if the guilty party has
sufficient funds noted criminal lawyers
can clear him. This is all wrong, and
tends to weaken the foundation of our
government. The matter is one of
enough Importance to demand the care
ful consideration of our best people all
over the State.
The drainage and good roads meeting
held in Memphis several days since was
largely attended by representative peo-
pie from five States and there was
deep interest manifested in the sub
jects under discussion. The outcome
was the organization of a permanent
body for the study Of both drainage
and improving road conditions and to
put into effect the methods determined
upon as the most feasible. Among the
delegates present there were a number
OF congressman who pledged their earn
est efforts to obtain cooperation from
the government in making experiments
and demonstrating the best methods to
be employed. While but little can be
predicted as to the result of this move
ment at present it is evidently along
right lines, and if properly managed
will undoubtedl, bring satisfactory re-
suits The next meeting will be held
in Little Rock, Ark.
The towns and cities along our water
ways are beginning to agitate the mat
ter of restoring the use OF these same
rivers for commercial purposes. Years
ago, before the advent of the railroads,
they were piled by steamers that were
the larger source of supply for the
country. Since the roads became so
numerous, aifording a quicker means
OF transportation, the rivers have been
forgotten, although freight can be
handled by water cheaper than by rail.
The question is again being brought to
the front, and it is probable that the
next few yeass will see great increase
in water traffic. Our streams could
and should be made to do q portion OF
this transportation, thereby lessening
the strain upon railroads to handle the
volume of business offered, and at the
same time tending to reduce the cost OF
transportation. Vicksburg, Natchez,
Yazoo City and other places too numer-
Gus to mention are taking the subject
up, and it is to be hoped that they will
not allow it to lag until steamers are
again plying the waters of our rivers
and lakes, carrying commerce to all
parts near them.
The writer was in Memphis few
days since and could not help noticing
the treatment received by cotton con-
signed to the dealers and warehouse
men of that city. Numbers of streets
are still lined with bales that are dete-
riorating day by day, being damaged
by wind and weather as well as other
unfavorable conditions. 1t is high
time that the people of Mississippi
took action to prevent such in future.
Business is suffering in Mississippi
now at the hands of a surplus of poll
tics, but it will not be long. Just lit
tie more than two months until the
agony will be over. Then we can again
look to the improvement of conditions
in general, the roads and other impor-
tant matters in particular. Remember
these important things are to be con-
sidered as soon as there is a breathing
spell after the primary elections.
]. NJ. Roper of Lee county brought to
the Guntown Hot Times Office an ear
OF corn that is something of a curiosity,
The corn has "a rows on it and meas
ures nearly one foot in circumference.
There are six separate cobs on the ear,
all joined together at the end, and all
having covering of natural grains. |
This ear of corn is now on exhibition |
at jackson in the office OF the Commits
sioner OF Agriculture and Commerce.
From every section of the State
comes complaints about the telephone
service rendered and the exorbitant |
prices being charged. An individual
is powerless in the face of the gigantic
telephone corporation that controls the
business in Mississippi, and there seems
to be little use for him to kick. The
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