The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1912-01-11

10 uOl dShlh6 Oluol CouuLioS loi do-
sistance in carrying out its ambitious
drainage projects for the reclamation
of swamp and overlooked lands, nor
will any form of state aid be solicited
for the big undertaking, saving only
legislative authorization for the Gre
alton of a general drainage district,
it is at the same time fact that the
hill counties are, in a large measure,
responsible for the expense that will
be incurred.
According to figures prepared by
drainage engineers, it will require an
expenditure of three and one-half mil
lion dollars by the delta to take care
of the drainage from the hill counties
Immediately adjoining, notably Lafay
cite, Yalobusha. Benton, Pamela, Tate.
section.
The delta counties proper are Tuni-
ca, Coahoma, Quitman, Tallahatchie,
| Bolivar, Leflore, Yazoo, Warren,
Washington, Issaquena, Sharkey and
Sunfiower, and Hon. Oscar G.. John,
ston, of Coahoma, has prepared some
interesting figures showing that these
counties bear much more than their
/ just share OF the burden of state gov
eminent, and make no complaint
about it, despite the fact that they
also bear q heavy taxation for levees
from which other counties are i'm
mune.
The thirteen delta counties last
year paid into the state treasury ad
valorem taxes amounting to $418,226.-
"a and privilege taxes of $109, 334.96,
total of 1927, 561 60. They received
in return $274,363 for common schools
and S33,S54 for pensions, a total of
s30S.322, leaving a balance in their
favor of $219,2S9.6O.
eve are not making any kick about
it," said Mr.. Johnston, "but I have
had these figures prepared in order to
show that the delta counties are bear
ing their share OF the burden of state
government, and when it is consider
ed that we also have heavy taxes for
the maintenance of levees to pay, it
is wonder how we are able to do it
and at the same time make living.
Mr.. Johnston is putting the finish
ing touches on his general drainage
bill. one of the most important meas
ures of the session, which will be in
troduced within the next few days.
The Potter appellate court bill, in
troduced in the senate yesterday, is
generally regarded as the Brewer ad-
ministration measure on this subject
and will therefore be very much in
the limelight during the session.
Governor-elect Brewer has placed
himself squarely on recor din favor
of creating an inferior or appellate
court, and the Potter bill embodies
his principle ideas on the subject
? Briefly stated, it provides an appellate
court of three members, with the same
salary as members of the Supreme
court, and the same qualifications, tt
? have final jurisdiction in all civil ap
peals from the circuit and chancery
courts involving not exceeding $4,000
; and all misdemeanor cases.
This plan, if adopted, will relieve
the Supreme court of all of the trivia
litigation with which its calendar II
now burdened, and reduce the volum,
of business in that court fully seven
: ty-f1ve per cent at the same time al
: lowing its members more time 70
consideration of the really importan
D legal problems that develop in tn
+ civil and criminal jurisprudence G
l. the state. Under the present plan it i
d simply a physical impossibility 70
three judges to give mature though
II to from 900 to 1000 cases per year.
L. Governor-elect Brewer has not con
3 mitted himself on the measures t
e abolish the two Supreme court con
n missionerships. It is believed, nov
o ever, that he would sign such meai
II ure if passed by the two bodies, aprt
L viding the appellate court system
1t created
The Potter bill will be considere
by the senate judiciary committe
1t next week. 1t is now being placed
L printed form for the information {
u members in both houses.
t. The house committee on corpor
tons will meet Thursday afternoon I
consider the several bills seeking
10 prevent the chartering of corporation
r to engage in agricultural pursuits.