The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1910-01-06
MAKES IMPORT.
ANT SUGGESTIONS
GOV. NOEL'S MESSAGE A SOUND
DOCUMENT.
TRANSMITTED TO LEGISLATURE TUESDAY
Comes Ont Squarley in Favor of Increase
in Number of Supreme Judges-FaVors
ElectiVe Judiciary-Declares for Coua-
ty Prosecuting Attorneys.

Jackson, Miss, Jan. 5.-Gov. Noel's mes
sage to the legislature, which was read
today in both houses, is the longest mes
sage submitted to special session in this
state 1t is about 10000 words in length
and covers a scope almost broad enough
in itself to open up general legislation
Certain it is, that if the legislature un-
dertakes to deal with all the subjects
opened by the message, it will not find
itself handicapped often for want of con-
stitutional authority. This was not alto
gether unexpected, however, as the past
two years have witnessed many changes
new issues have arisen ard new problems
are presented for solution which require
immediate attention.
But even eliminating the senatorial
fgh, which will necessarily take up much
time, there is enough food for thought
in the Governors message to keep a reg
ular session busy for the usual time.
The message is a sound document, and
does not so outside of what is generally
conceded to be a conservative range, tax
ing in only such matters as either require
immediate attention or which might suffer
from delay.
The Governor, at the outset, deals with
conditions and not theories He opens
his message with the reminder that Mis-
sissippi is, more than any other, an agri-
cultural state, and then explains that
agricultural products furnish the fuel
which keeps the machinery of the world
moving, declaring that prosperity or ad-
versity of all other avocations or indus
tries is directly dependent upon farming
conditions" The governor points out
the danger in Mississippi threatened by
the boil weevil invasion, which he de-
clares can only be averted by a revolu-
ton in our farming methods" He de-
clares for crop diyersi6cation, improved
methods of farming, and adoption of the
most approved methods of fighting the
bell weevil as taught by the government
experts. He also recommends raising of
cattle, truck farming and the develop
ment of new industrial enterprises.
The governor says much in praise of
the work of the government Agricultural
Departmet, and instances particularly
the work of the agricultural stations es-
tabIisned in the state. He recommends
at least two more agricultural stations
one in he heart of the boil weeviI terri
tory and the other IN the northwest prairie
section.
IN line with improved and diversified
agriculture, the governor next takes up
the subject Of good roads, and declares
that the ''pro6t convenience and desira-
bility of rural life will be incalculably
promoted BY the construction of good
roads,
Naturally the financial question, involv-
ing the equitable distribution of the tax
burden, takes up considerable space in
the message, and the governor goes ex-
tensively into the matter, declaring the
present assessment methods TO be fatally
defective in practical application. He rec
omrnends state supervision of county as
sessments, and also that on account OF
the deposity law the Offices of state
county and town treasurers be abolished
Touching the constantly recurring def
cts in. the treasury Of the state, the
/ governor states that for the first time II
the past seven years the revenues exceed
ed expenses. He cautions against extrava-
gance in the matter of appropriations
and particularly urges that expenditure:
should be SO adjusted as not to fall due
at a time when the treasury is empty.
Changes in Juai1ial System.
The governor makes some suggestion:
touching the reformation of the Grim
inal laws which might be termed radical
but he cites the approval Of Justices
Campbell and Whitfield of Mississippi as
agreeing with him. He recommends in
substance that all quibbIes and technical
objections which tend only to delay JUS
tice and secure new trials shall be done
away with, and the duty of the appellate
courts be confined to the determination
of the question as to whether a right
or wrong decision has been reached ex-