The Tupelo journal., 1907-05-31

10y w 500 "hO
up their infamous practices. From the
Magnolia News Is taken the following
strong article:
Let it be written upon the hearts OF
Mississippians, taught in their schools,
and Numbered 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.
The most enlightened and religious ma
tions have found capital punishment
necessary. In Mississippi, where a
life sentence for many murders is a
farce, hanging as a sovereign remedy
for the crime is most1imperative. The
lives of the victims of murderers in
this 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 outlines
has made Mississippi a byword and a
r~eproach. The individual citizen
should make up his mind to wash his
hands of the stain"
The ~disgraceful miscarriage of JUS
tice during the past few years is giving
to State a 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
full consideration of our best people all
ove 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 a
deep interest manifested in the sub
jects under discus sion. 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 undoubtedly 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 we're
the larger source OF supply for the
country. Since the roads became so
numerous, atfording a quicker means
of transportation, the rivers have been
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 a great increase
in water traffic. Our streams could
and should be made to do a portion Of
this transportation, thereby lasening
the strain upon railroads to handle the
Of n11Sinnc, nffaral onl Of 49,,
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 u rivers
and lakes, carrying m to all
parts near them.
The writer was in Memphis a few
days since and could not help noticing
the treatment received by cotton con-
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
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 a 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 Oon as there is a breathing
spell after the primary elections.
J. NJ. Roper of Lee county brought to
the Guntown Hot Times office an ear
of cOrn that is something of a curiosity.
The corr 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 a covering of natural grains.
This ear of corr 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
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