The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1910-02-04
Reconstruction in Monroe County,
By f. r. Pickett, b. s. 1909.

CONTINUED from has; issue,

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
Aberdeen was the only municipal
ity during this period. The first
meeting Of the board of aldermen
after the war, was with J. r. Kidd,
mayor. A great many infractions OF
the law were reported. From Dec.
1865 to Jan. 30, 1866 they had
taken in S693 90 in fines. 1t seems
as if disturbances were very common
in those days. In March we find a
motion to appoint a COMMITTEE OF
three to confer with committee
from the Board of police and the
Freedman's Bureau on the subject
of regulating pest houses. We also
find a record of 34S street hands
taxed at S6 90 each and 427 polls
at 81 90 each. There was tax of
81 90 on every horse and mule sold
in the city, and street tax of $500,
one half of one percent on total
property valuation. The penalty for
non payment of street tax. was ten
days work, or fine and imprison-
ment for not less than 30 days,
with bread and water TO eat". We
find the same extravaganza in ex-
i he 0f
Police. caused by the fact that the
town was continually in debt. Pop
ular sentiment was against high SAL
aries, of the mayor and other Off
GERS. We may note also that Capt.
r. +. Houston, a well known law
yer of Aberdeen, was city at
torney during the year 1867. James
w. Lee was mayor after 1867 until
J. F. Lacey was appointed mayor
in 1868. 1t is around him as mayor,
that all the fun and amusement and
burlesque and even tragedy center
ed. We have already seen a great
deal about him. Soon after he came
into office, taxes on properties went
from one percent in 1867. to three
and one half, in addition to a spec
ial tax of three percent ON value of
clocks, and taxes on salaries, rent
paid inheritances received on pro-
fessions. A Sc 90 tax was imposed
on male inhabitants, Dc, to 80 years
of age, While in 1866, the same tax
was on all male inhabitants from
20, to 30. We find several appeals
from the city courts to the higher
courts in the year, 1867. They were
as follows:
Court of Aberdeen, VS.. Windsor
Reynolds, Court of Aberdeen, VS..
J. d. Morrow, Court of Aberdeen.
vs.. H. Whitworth, Court of Aber-
deem, vs.. Cook Davenport, Court of
Aberdeen vs.. p. Adams, ct al
Twice on account of Indebtedness,
they were asked to lower the officers
salaries.
LIST. Mayors from $4,000 to
$4,000.
2n6. This time there was petition
signed by lis citizens of the town,
to reduce the salaries Mayors.
$4,000 to $4,000. Selectmen,
from $4,000 each (six) to nothing.
Marshal, from $4,000 to $4,000.
The mayor and marshal. were re-
duced. but selectmen, allowed
$1,000 each. There seems to have
been great division of offices then
petitioned TO discharge so much po-
lice force. abolish over-seers, dis
charge street hands, consolidate
assessors and collectors positions.
The salaries though reduced, were
soon increased. While Kidd was
mayor. Dockets showed collected
S2S55.OO. reported S145O.35. show
ing that the fines were not paid. or |
that the mayor pocketed the money.
more likely the first. because they
could not collect the fines. most of |
which we're against prominent lead
Frs and lawyers Ct the time. Many
Eases we're docketed in 1868. 1870.
md 1871. Dec 1870. SIS oasee; Nov.
1870. % cases; Jan. 1871. "a casss.
Taken from Leftwich. Pamphlet
Edition 81.
From Nay. 1371, % Aue.. 1877. !