The Grenada sentinel., 1908-07-18
BY Fl. 4. BLAkESLEE, JACKSON.
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the rights and privileges of the most
humble citizen was respected and pro-
tected; where every man stood upon an
equal footing with his fellows and the
right to vote was guaranteed to all who
could read the constitution or under
stand it when read to him; where
wealth or social standing were not quail
ifications for place or power. These
facts have made ours one of the most
desirable States in the Union for resi-
dence, and thousands of splendid peo-
pie from other States have been at
tracted thereby. 1t is still a condition
and must remain so at all hazards
Mississippi must be State of rural
homes and citizenship that stands for
the best in everything good and whole
some
Our excellent system of electing Off
cials from the highest to the most Oh
scure-by direct vote of the people
has been the subject of much favorable
comment by liberty-loving people in all
sections, as we'll as the fact that any
man with aspirations stood upon an
equal footing with his opponents in the
effort to gain Office. There has been a
slight tendency in late primaries to ex
| pend abnormal sums of money in MAX
| ing canvass of the State for State
Offices that is viewed with apprehension
by many who fear that the practice
will reach such proportions that man
not in possession of considerable world
1y goods will be denied the privilege of
being a candidate for Office. Looking
to correction of this a delegate to the
recent State convention offered a reso-
luton which has been the subject of
much comment. While the resolution
was not reported by the committee 10
which it was referred, it was read on
the floor and the reforms proposed got
ten in that way before the body.
The expense necessary to make can
vass for State, and some of the district
offices, has assumed proportions not in
keeping with the emoluments of the
places sought. A canvass for governor
costs from S., ZOO to $4,000 according
to estimates, and the whole pay for the
four years is only $4,000. The cost of
canvass for minor State Office is
estimated at from 81. 500 to $4,000,
which is more than the salary for one
whole year. The time lost is not taken
into consideration in these estimates.
Tf hat h rhD ha
done to reduce this expense, and the
people have it in their power to do it
without resolution, regulation or any
thing of that character. Discourage
the expensive campaign. The man who
offers for office is generally pretty well
known, and there is no necessity of
making strenuous house-to-house cam
paign of the State or district. Georgia
has recently demonstrated that man
could be elected governor without the
expense of speaking several times in
each county and shaking hands with
each individual voter. One candidate
covered the State thoroughly while the
other attended to his business and
an economical but satisfactory manner.
The latter was elected by a handsome
majority. This is subject worthy of
careful consideration.
The newspapers of Mississippi and
their editors, who can always be found
on the right side of great moral ques-
tions, are saying considerable these
days about the use of profanity and the
ug mess and uselessness of the habit.
There is wide divergence of opinion
as to whether the world is growing
better or worse, but there can be little
argument as to prevalence of profane
words by old and young. 1t is habit
that could be easily corrected, and
should be by all means. Nothing can
be more offensive to the ear of a good |
man or refined woman than coarse or
profane language. The Mississippi |
newspapers are engaged in crusade |
that deserves the earnest support of all |
good people.
1t has been the writer's pleasure to
visit recently three counties where the |
subject of an agricultural high school |
was being agitated. They were Lamar,
Lincoln and Simpson. There is great |
deal of interest manifested in all of |
these, the people being alive as 10 the
advantages to be derived from the To-
cation of such a school. Agricultural |
interest all over the state is at fever
heat, and it is safe to predict that Mis-
sissippi will within the next few years
show an improvement along this line
not equaled by any other southern
state. This prospect is bright one
indeed, and let us hope that the enthu-
siasm will grow steadily until we take
the place we deserve, well up toward
the head of the procession.
Let's hear something from those who
are keeping bees. There are in Mis-
sissippi some considerable apiaries,
a nd IL MIGHT he well 70 let it. he known