Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1907-01-26
SOME PLAIN TRUTHS
Hon. J. {, KincannOn Pays His Parting
Respects to the Governor.

.
has issued the following address:
To the People of Mississippi: [ had
hoped to avoid the necessity of public
statement in regard TO the penltentiary
affairs, for the reason that l did not
consider the columns OF newspaper a
place to transact public business,
believe that the proper way for the
board of control to settle their differ
snceS was in the office Of the board,
each member understanding that the
majority should rule and each conced-
ing honesty or purpose TO the other. I'M
til some tangible feet could be pointed
out to Justify a contrary opinion.
I believe that the public regards
newspaper controversies between pub
lie officials as politica! controversies,
and that neither party is actuated by
2 sincere desire to do the public SER
vice, but, on the other hand. each is
is attempting to gain some selfish porti
cal advantage.
For these TreasonI have refrained
from making any public statement, al
though have been frequently misrep-
scented through the public press by
Governor Yardamap, would not now
make this statement except that feel
that my silence may be misunderstood
l am not candidate for any position.
and make this statement without re
gard to its political effect and simply
with the view that the Truth may pre-
vail. But for the CONVICTION that | owe
it 10 my friends who have twice honored
me with their support and to my faml-
ly. aud especially to my wife and little
children, to protect my good name,
would remain silent
My service as a member Of the board
OF control began Nov 21st, 1899, From
that time until December, 1902, / be
lieve that some OF the proceeds of the
labor of the convlcts was being misap-
propriated. An examination of the
records OF the board of control will show
that | was persistent in my opposition
to everything that smacked of graft.
also refer THE public to my testimony
before the peuitentiary investigating
committee of 1892 In 1903 | wasa can
didate for reelection. and was op-
posed by two worthy and deservedly
popular gentlemen During the can
vass my record was discussed, and
when the verdict was returned by the
court of last resort--the enlightened
citizenship of Mississippi-my course
was endorsed by reelection in the fist
primary, | have pursued the same
course during my present term, but the
newspapers have had column after col
umn Of charges Of mismanagement and
improper motives on the part OF the
board which l was member
At the beginning Of my service the
penitentiary property was appraised al
about SAT, 100000. On the first day Of
January, 1907, the board of control
turned over to the trustees more than
81, 900, 10000 Of property. During the
seven years of my service more than
$3.50, 10000 in cash was turned into the
treasury in excess of expenditures. For
the original Sl47, 100000 the board of
control turned over in property and
cash more than one and one half mil
lions of dollars as result of the seven
years management. an average profit
to the taxpayers of Mississippi of more
than $3.50, 900 90 per year on an invest.
ment of STAT, 100000. This is my an
swer to the charge of mismanagement
] also consider this in measure an
answer to the charge of misconduct and
'faYoritism for political reasons" Ny
further answer is that my accuser is IN
worthy Of belief.
With the Inauguration of the present
administration there began on the part
of the governor an effort to run the
whole penitentiary to suit himself, re.
gardless Of the fact that the intelligent
people of Mississippi had placed four
other members of the board Of control
aud clothed each with authority equal
with the governor. When Governor
Vardaman stepped on the scene of action
he was so pulled up with his own great
ness that he attempted to sweep aside
the authority given the other four
members of the board Of control by the
people, and assured that each member
of the board Of control would bow to his
august will. When he finally learned
that he could not control the member
Of the board his wrath knew no bounds,
and he determined to destroy them,
With this1ohject he has filled his parti-
san newspapers with wilfa misrepre
sensations of the me mbers of the board
Of control. Sweeping aside the nume T
Gus false charges he has circulated ih
conversation, aud also the numerous
false charges that he has circulated
through the newspapers. as a gentle
men brushes cobwebs from his path,
will fuse one case that establishes my
contention that the governor knowingly
deliberately and wilfully misrepresented
the board of control TO make up the
numerous falsehoods be has circulated
would so lengthen this article as to tax
the readers patience, and the one case
cited will suffice.
Governor Vardaman andl Commits
sioner McNair were the committee, to
sell the states cotton and cotton seed
during almost the entire three years of
their service as members of the board
In the face Of this fact, the governor
wrote gentleman of Vicksburg, who
had written the governor, requesting
that he be given chance TO bid on the
states seed, that on account of the fact
that he had so little influence with the
board he was not in position to offer him
any seed. This was done. without even
mentioning to his associate on the COM
mittee or any member of the board the