The Kemper herald., 1908-03-26
FOR
GREATER
MISSISSIPPI

The following editorial from re-
cent issue of the Herald at Water
Valley, brings to the front question
hat has been discussed more or less
during the recent session of the legis-
ature:
"When it was thought that legisla-
ton injurious to the railroads would
come up for action at this session of
the legislature, the railroads were
promptly notified and we have no
doubt that the different companies in
terested responded promptly by send
ing competent men to protect their
interests, so far as they could be pro-
:ected. This was right. We need the
railroads. If the state had ten times
The trackage it now has it would be
Ave hundred per cent richer. And so
far as we are concerned, we wish
there was no restriction whatever on
capital invested in new railroads fox
long term of years. But at the same
time the railroads need the farms and
the farmers of the country, and when
legislation affecting the farmer is in
troduced, why are not the formers
notifed7 A bill to abolish the office
Of the Commissioner of Agriculture,
the only Office in the state government
that directly concerns the farm has
been introduced, and we would like
to know how many farmers have been
consulted about it. Tens of thousands
Of farmers read weekly Commissioner
Blakeslee IS sound advice on improved
farming, road building, ETC., and his
acute Investigations into all the realms
Of agriculture, and if they were con-
suited it is safe to say solid protest
against his removal or the abolish
ment of the Office would be heard. He
has proven the right man in the right
place and is making the Office real
and lasting benefit to the state
The Department of Agriculture
and Commerce was created at the be-
hest of the Cotton Association and
was for the direct benefit Of the agri-
cultural and live stock people OF Mis-
sissippi. 1t has since received the un-
qualified endorsement Of the Union
and the present Commissioner has ac-
lively co-operated with both OF these
organizations in the work they have
undertaken. The Department has also
co-operated with the Mississippi Live
Stock Association in the effort to Sc
cure legislation beneficial to the live
stock interests. No opportunity has
been allowed to pass whereby it was
possible to aid the interests for which
the department was created. The sue
cess shown by report to the legis-
lative bodies was gratifying indeed
to the Commissioner, and the endorse
ment received at the hands Of the
various organizations does away with
the possibility of its abolishment. 1t
| is fact that several attempts were
made along this line, but in every
instance the effort fell fiat. The sin
cerity of those who made the effort is
not brought in question here. That
the department is given little oppor-
tunity of accomplishment goes with
out question. The last legislature
made the appropriations for its sup
port very small indeed and the pres
ent body has decreased them to some
extent. 1t seems that the Commits
sioner is expected to take it out
largely in talking and the best that
can be made of the situation will be
done.
Now as to agricultural legislation,
something was said concerning it last
week. The greatest obstacle has been
the standing of the committees on
agriculture and commerce. An effort
is being made to remedy this, q reso-
luton having been offered to place
the committees next to those named
in the constitution, which would ma
terially aid such legislation in the
future. There is strong sentiment
among the legislators to aid the agri-
cultural people and with the help of
the various organizations, the result
in the future should be gratifying.
Superintendent Early of Yalla-
busha held meeting of boys and pa
irons Of the public schools Of his
county at Water Valley and organ
lied the competitive corn growing con
test. Fully two hundred boys were on
hand and arranged to participate in
the work this year. Splendid work
Of preparation has been made and
there can be little doubt of the sue
cess Of the movement. Superinten-
dent Mabry of Newton has more than
one hundred boys enrolled, Superin-
tendent Waldrup, Of Jones, Superin-
tendent Clayton, of Lee, Superinten-
dent Shaw of Webster, Superinten-
dent Allen Of Tate, Superintendent
Mcdowell, Pontotoc, Superintendent
| nnv 80 AttaJla nnr,ntoudapt Ellie