Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1912-01-18


There are always obstruetionists ready
to use money and time to defeat any and
all efforts to advance, but they are fort
unatcly few in number and influence,
and hope to submit for your eonsidera-
tion later in your session a scheme which
will afford to our farmers q method by
which they can effect the complete reela-
nation Of their lands and secure ade.
quatc drainage where 1t is now so sorely
needed. There Is way to satisfy all
legal and practicable objections that may
arise in the prosecution OF such an un-
dertaking, and, no doubt, every member
of the Legislature will lend his best
thought and effort to the successful &C.
complement Of the important work.
In connection with this character of
legislation il is apparent to all as a mat
ter Of course that extensive work Of
such a kind can be done only from
funds derived from the sale OF bonds and
the attention of the Legislature is called
to the great saving which will result to
the communities VINO may undertake it
by having the State authorize the direct
levy Of the taxes or assessments required
to pay such bonds and the interest there
on, and by acting as the Official agent
for the collection of the taxes for the
payment of the interest on the bonds.
and the bonds at maturity, by reason OF
which friendly interposition on the be-
half Of the State, all such bonds can be
sold at advantageously low rates of in
terest which could not be accomplished
IL the communities themselves should un-
dcrtake to act unaided, without the
sponsorship or directing agencies of the
proper state officials.
Improved Public Highways.
Primitive and backward indeed is the
community untouched by the march of
progress along the mind Of better high
way. Much has been done already in
many counties OF the State, and nothing
has been of greater and more immediate
value to every interest than the con.
struction Of better roads. This is one
public work reaching and benefting
every man, woman and child. Good
roads encourage community interest and
bring about a unity of purpose and ef-
fort in all the business, social and educa-
tional activities IN every rural neighbor-
hood.
We have just entered upon this work,
and the people have been quick to ap-
preciate the Improvements in country
ed means of transportation.
IL shouiu be extended in every direc-
tion, and a system Of highways estab-
lished that will be an enduring monu-
ment to the progressiveness of this age,
and the active, dominant civic spirit Of
our citizenship. Drainage and road
building are eminently practicable ques-
tions and contribute more to the health.
i and ha ..fs ka t.ant.l.
than almost anything civil government
can do for the betterment of the great
masses II is impraeticable to go into
details of legislation and stay within the
limits of an inaugural address and, there
fore, no effort will be msde at this
time, to impose upon you more than an
outline Of those subjects which appeal
to me and upon which the Legislature
should bestow the most serious consider.
alton. Every reasonable effort TO bring
about the drainage of our farming
lands. and to improve the highways OF
travel should be continually exerted. Let
ms make the doings of these things our
business.
The Juvenile Offender and the Child La.
Dor Laws
In the name of all that u right and
proper, and with all the earnestness OF
my soul, | urge you TO provide some
means to separate the unfortunate chill.
dren of crime from the older and hard
ened offenders.
This can be done at small cost, and
even If it costs ten fold more than il
will cost, every sentiment of righteous.
ness and wisdom demands this long-dc-
layed reform and simple act Of justice.
Our child labor laws amount to little,
and they should be so amended as ef.
fectually to prevent corporate or indi-
vidual greed from ringing profits from
the sweat and blood of the little ones
of Mississippi. II it is necessary to work
boys and girls of tender years in order
to build up factories in our State, |, for
one, prefer that we remain purely an
agricultural State. and spurn wealth
and prosperity gained at such price.
Raise the Age of Consent.
The age Of consent is now fixed at
twelve years, and so it is a female in
FAINT is pronounced by the wisdom and
moral sense of Mississippi as capable OF
giving consent to her own defilement. No
words are strong enough TO characterize
the barbarianism of this supposed senti-
ment, written into the statute laws OF
this State.
Every mother in the State should de.
mand that we protect Ler babe from
lecherous brutes, so far as law can pro
tect them, by striking this foul blot
from our laws and by writing therein
eighteen in lieu Of twelve. and thus an.
nounce to the civilized world that the
ruin Of the daughters of Mississippi will
bring TO the scaffold the human wolves
who are preying upon the innocence and
| affections Of children.
II is with some pride, which ] trust
is pardouable, that | recall that the ne
cessity for the enactment of child labor
laws and of laws for the protection and
special treatment of juvenile offenders,
and for the raising Of the age of consent
was urged and advocated in my platform
only among the candidates, when / made
an unsuccessful effort 10 secure the nom.
nation for Governor, and attribute no
small part of the votes then cast for me
to the influence OF noble women who
heard my speeches in advocacy Of these
reforms.
| The Prohibition Law.
There has been some excitement over
the possibility Of an effort to repeal the
State wide prohibition law. Personally
do not think there is any cause for
alarm. True, there are a number OF
people in the State who do not now en-.
dorse, and who have never endorsed, this
legislation, but the sentiment against
the sale of intoxicanfs is now, and has
been for many years. overwhelming. In
stead of repeating the law, suggest
that it be strengthened by giving to the
Chaneery Court full power to enjoin the
sale OF intoxicating liquors as nuisance
per Sc, upon petitions of the district TT
torney, or attorney general, and TO pun.
ish for contempt those persons violating
such injunctionS And in further aid
of the efficient enforcement of the law,