The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-03-05
TAX EQUALIZATION.

The following editorial from the
Laurel Ledger is reproduced for hearty
approval:
During the last political campaign
two years ago South Mississippi made
very strong presentation of her
rights along the lines of representa-
ton in the legislature, school fund
distribution and assessment valua-
tions. These conditions have come
about because of the magic growth OF
the pine woods counties. That the
legislature would not be prepared to
realize and to appreciate these new
conditions was but natural. For this
body to provide for a committee on
the adjustment of tax values is a
move in our favor.
South Mississippi voted for Luth-
err Manship for Lieutenant Governor
and the Hon. H. M. Street Is reckon
ed within our territory. The legislature
made it the duty of these gentlemen to
appoint a committee to look into the
relative values and rate of assess
ments throughout the State. To now
brand these men who have most hon
orable records as willfully against our
interests and adjudge the committee
as being biased in like manner pre-
supposes a lack of loyalty to an official
trust unwarranted by the facts, and
is a grave injustice as we understand
it. A better thing to do would be to
form plans to get in touch with this
committee and keep on friendly terms
and working relations with them.
There is no occasion for immediate
alarm. since the proposition to reduce
our own county assessment rating
has been abandoned. We need to
steer clear of any rash acts that would
bring the consistency of our position
into question.
IF ever, and whenever, we get re-
lief from the conditions above it will
have to be worked out on a broader
and more conservative plain than has
yet been pursued. The fairness of our
demands is clearly evident even to the
partisan view of other sections of
the State. Justice and reason are on
our side and it is unnecessary for us
to take any extreme measure. So
far our movement has smacked of a
little too much ego anyway. Lets put
in the front of this movement our
strongest and most conservative men,
men whose knowledge and personal
ity command and compel a respect
able hearing. If we ourselves made
an investigation it is even possible
that we would find that this tax in.
equality is exaggerated. There are
e things of much more Importance tc
o follow and we must either make E
winning fight or leave it entirely
with the committee and the legisla
u ture.
I'VE should, and can, enlist tn,
r. good will and friendly cooperation
# of Legislators and leaders throughout
r. the State if we use proper tact.
I'VE must impress the legislator
that we merit their respectful consid
IN Grafton If we are to have the influenc
there that our numbers and our wealt
would indicate The personnel of on
e. representation and position of on
ID press are two very potent factors i
giving momentum to our efforts fc
needed reforms.
The articles appearing in certai
" papers last week on this lin do n,
IS reflect our public sentiment, but
Is partisan view, and we take the r
II sponsibility of trying to correct Il
evil effect and to set ourselves rig
" in the minds of conservative peop
he here and throughout the State"
IS -s-
FOR A BROADER