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

We'll DeiluObes the LeglSlalhte 10 pIphk
by and TO apply the wisdom aud eNper.
cnce of others in aid of the solution OF
our own problems Of taxation and, when
they do that, / do not doubt the result
and that annual deficit and and rccur.
ring bond issues will soon be things OF
the well forgotten past.
The Supervision Of Common Carriers.
The functions OF government are not
confined to the protection of the lives
and property of its people within the
.narrowest OF limits.
The duty of the state TO conserve the
welfare of its citizens extends to the le,
Ultimate regulation and control OF all
agencies of a public quasi public charac.
ter, that may, when exercised by un.
]serupulous or dishonest persons, work
h~srdships and losses upon the body
polite.
The control Of common carriers has
been properly placed in this category,
and under the Constitution and laws Of
the State, the Mississippi railroad com
mission has been created and is main
tanned rs a proper agency to deal with
this important subject, with q due re
gard to the rights not only of the pub
lie, but Of the carriers. 1t Is my opinion
that the laws for the regulation of com
mon carriers can be strengthened, and
the duties and powers OF the commission
enlarged, with manifest advantage to the
people and without imposing any burden
on the carriers.
The inequalities in freight rates that
prevail in many localities, and the made
quate facilities which are provided in
many cases, are matters which affect
vitality the prosperity and welfare of
whole communities, and the laws Of the
State should be extended, and the func-
tons of the commission bTOadened, so
that ample authority may be vested in
the commission to graQt and enforce
remedial and preventive relief against
all unjust action on the part Of any com
mon carrier doing business in the State
of Mississippi, The commission should
be made an effective agency to conserve
and protect the rights Of the business
interests of the State, and | shall cheer
fully cooperate with the Legislature in
every measure looking to the accom-
plishment of that end.
The Banking interests.
Intimately associated with the welfare
of the people is a proper administration
Of the affairs Of all persons and assOcia.
tons who may be engaged in the con
duct of banking in the State. Under the
modern rules of business, practically all
financial transactions are handled
through banks, either by the making OF
deposits of money therein or by the
drawing Of checks thereon.
1t ia essential not only to the protec-
ton of contiding depositors from loss,
but to the stability and security of all
business, that a sound, safe system Of
banking should be cXaCted of those en-
gagged in the management OF such insti-
buttons.
The designing schemcr who would flch
from trusting depositors the hard earn
ings of years of toll il deserving of no
more consideration than the hardy high
wayman who robs the unprotected tray
eler.
The laws to punish such crimes as de.
veloped by recent decisions OF the courts
are entirely inadequate to meet the de-
mands of the situation and they should
be amended and made clear to cover
without cavil every case of ths kim that
can arise.
Mushroom banks are capable Of doihE
as much harm and causing as much loss,
and as many hardships, as dishonesty
managed or recklessly mtsnanaged
banks. Misfortune may often come to
the public from honest errors of judg.
ment in the management of banks and q
series OF honest mistakes not speedily
and radically corrected, will sssuredly
lead to the ruin of many and the unset
Ting of public confidence, frequently as
disastrous in consequences as If these ills
arose from other sources.
Mississippi has grown so greatly in
the recent past, and its prospects for in
creased prosperity and development along
industrial and commercial lines are too
bright and promising to be blighted or
delayed by inattention to this important
adjunct Of sound banking.
Mississippi has no laws which afford
any protection to the public in any such
cases. No good bank would object to
reasonable examination of its affairs
and methods OF conducting business,
and no bank that is not good or that Is
mismanaged for any cause, should be
permitted to prey upon an unsuspecting
public.
l commend this subject TO your atten-
ton and shall feel that a great public
service will have been performed il a
suitable law is passed to cover within
proper restrictions all phases Of the
banking interests of the State.
The material interests OF the State are
not all that must command our atten'
ton.
There is another side Of the functions
of government which does not look to
revenue results, or the mere protection
Of property.
There are other charges committed to
our care and keeping which should be
second to none, in their place in our con-
s~ideration. No State can maintain an
honorable, much less distinguished place,
among all the States in this age Of prog
ress and advancement, unless the
thoughts of those on whom rests the re-
sponsibllity of government are directed
towards the establishment and perpetu.
alton Of comprehensive, co-ordinated and
scientific system of education.
The men of Mississippi have responded
to the demands made upon them under
all circumstances, whether in the forum
| or in the halls of national or State legis'
lation, or whether destiny has fate2
them to embrace distinction on the fatal
field of battle in the final discharge Of
the claims of patriotic citizenship. Other
Other States OF the Union than our own
| have profted by the wisdom and patriot
ism Of Mississippf's sons. They have
contributed, and are now contributing
elsewhere, and here as we, TO the ad-
yancement and %wclEbeing Of their com.
mon country. The knowledge which
these illustrious men have bestowed
upon their divergent and varied tasks