The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-01-19

famed Valley Of the Nile, capable of pro-
dueing crops Of thrice the value of the
crops now produced by our farmers.
There are always obstructionists ready
to use money and time to defeat any and
all efforts to advance, but they are fort.
unately few in number and influence,
and | hope to submit for your considera,
ton later in your session a scheme which
will afford TO our farmers a method by
which they can effect the complete reela-
nation of their lands and secure ade-
quate drainage where it is now so sorely
needed. There is a 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 ae-
complishment of the important work.
In connection with this character OF
legislation it 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 adrantageously low rates of in
terest which could not be accomplished
if the communities themselves should un-
dertake 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
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 benelting
every man, woman and child. Good
roads encourage community interest and
bring about a unity Of purpose and eff
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 APP
p~reciate the Improvements in country
life directly attributable to the improV-
ed means of transportation.
1t Should be extended in every direc-
ton, and a system Of highways estab-
lished that will be an enduring monu-
meDt to the progressiveness of this age,
and the active, dominant civic spirit OF
our citizenship. Drainage and road
building are eminently practicable ques'
tons and contribute more to the health,
prosperity and happiness of the people
than almost anything civil government
can do for the betterment of the great
masses. 1t is impracticable to 60 into
details Of legislation and stay within the
limits of an inaugural address and, there
fore, no effort will be made 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
tfaEei should De continually eHefteu. Lev
US make the dolngs OF THESE thlhgs our
business.
The Juvenile Offender and the Child La
Dor Laws.
In the name of all that il right and
proper, and with all the earnestness OF
my soul, / urge you to provide some
to separate the unfortunate chill
dren OF crime from the older and hard
ened offenders. ,
This can be done at a small cost, and
even II it costs ten fold more h 1t
VIII cost, every sentiment OF righteous
ness and wisdom demands this long-de'
iayed reform and simple act OF justice
Onr child labor laws amount TO little,
ana they should be so amended as Ell
1ectually 10 prevent corporate or lndi-
Vldual greed from ringing prohts 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, l, for
one, prefer that we remain purely an
agricultural State, and spurn wealth
and prosperity gained at such a 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 oil Mississippi as capable OF
giving consent to her W deflement. No
words are strong enough to characterize
the barDarianlsm oil TINS supposed sentl.
menu Written INTO we statute ia"s'oi
TINS state.
Every mother IN inc state should de-
mand that we protect Lcr DaDe from
Generous orutes, so lar as law can pro
tect them, by STRIKING TINS loni Dlot
rom our avs ana by, writing therein
eighteen IN ileu OF twelve ana thus an
houhcc 10 the ciyiliSed world that tne