The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1913-09-26
LEGISLATURE
. TO REMODEL
STATE LAWS
BODY WILL HAVE GREAT 0PP0R-
TuNlTY FOR CONSTRUCTIVE
LEGISLATION.
TAXATION PROBLEM UP
Mississippi Running Behind In
Revenue Property Assess
ments Distributed.

Jackson, Miss, Sept. 25.-Th
next session Of the Mississippi Legis
lature, which will, convene in Janu
ary, will be given an opportunity tt
enact more constructive legislation
and to bring about more real reforms
IN the State than any other law
making body that has existed since
the adoption Of the Constitution ir
1890.
For the past several years the
State has been cursed with persona
politics. Economic questions have
been ignored, and the State has suf-
fered as consequence.
j TIL. Legislature which will con-
vene in regular session in January
will have a chance to put aside per-
sonal politics and render the State
great service. Many new laws are
needed.
Among the legislative problems
that will have to be solved, either by
the existing Legislature or the one
that will follow, is the taxation Ques-
ton. The State is running behind
/. in its, revenue. The treasury has
found that it is impossible to make
both ends meet. The State is spend
ing more money than itreceives from
the taxpayers. Bonds have been
issued to pay the running expenses
Of the State government. This is a
condition that should not exist. No
business concern could be operated
for six months with such a loose
system. II the State had been a
chartered corporation it would have
been thrown into the hands of re-
ceiver.
REFORMATION OF LAWS NEEDED.
What is needed is a reformation
Of the taxation system Of the State.
Property assessments are not equally
distributed over the State. This is
largely due to the fact that the State
has clung to the antiquated system
Of allowing local Boards of Super
visors to fix the valuation of assess
ments. The State has no Board Of
Equalization to eapaIize the tax rolls
Of the different counties.
In some sections of the State prop
erty is taxed almost to the limit,
while in other portions the rate OF
assessment is comparatively low. u
is said by those who have investi-
gated the subject closely that there
are a considerable number of COM
paratively wealthy persons in the
State who evade the laws by failing
or refusing to have their personal
property assessed.
Some of the members of the Legis-
lature are advocating the creation of
a tax commission to investigate the
taxation and revenue laws of other
States, for the purpose of adopting
those that will suit conditions in
Mississippi.
Among the laws Of other States
that are attracting attention in MISS
issippi is the Louisiana conservation
tax system. This law has proven
successful in Louisiana, and some OF
the lawmakers Of this State believe
that it will operate well in Mlssls'
sippi. While Mississippi has no oil,
ras or min4r"'e -tisAt, would yield a
conservation tax, the State has other
natural resources that would bring a
considerable amount Of revenue and
would not be burdensome. The
State could put a tax on the osput
OF lumber mills. turpentine plants,
etc.. that would increase the income
Of the treasury.
OTHER REFORM LEGISLATION.
Many other reform measures are
Pressing for attention, and cannot be
ignored much longer, among them
the following: