The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1913-09-24
REFORMATION OF LAWS
NEEDED.


What is needed is reformation
of the taxation system of the State.
Property assessments are not equal
ly 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
Supervisors to fix the valuation of
assessments. The State has no
Board of Equalization to equaIize
the tax rolls of the different coun-
ties.
In some sections Of the State
property is taxed also to the limit,
while in other portions the rate of
assessment is comparatively low.
1t is said by those who have inves-
tigated the subject closely that
there are a considerable number of
comparatively wealthy persons in
tae 2tase who evade .he laws by
failing or refusing to have their
personal property assessed.
Some of the members of the
Legislature are advocating the
creation of a tax commission to in
vestigate the taxation and revenue
laws of other states. for the pur-
pose of adopting chose that will
suit conditions in Mississippi.
Among the laws of other States
that are attracting attention in
Mississippi is the Louisiana con-
servation tax system. This law
has proven successful in Louisiana,
and some Of the lawmakers of this
State believe that it will operate
well in Mississippi. While Miss
issippi has no oil, gas or minerals
that would yield a conservation tax
the State has other natural re-
sources that would bring a consid-
erable amount of revenue and
would not be burdensome. The
State could put tax on the output,
ETC., that would increase the in
come Of the treasury.
OTHER REFORM LEGISLATION.
Many other reform measures are
pressing for attention. and cannot
be ignored much longer, among
them the following:
/. Regulation and inspection of
State banks. The State has no
system of bank inspection. The
Legislature, at the last session,
adopted a special joint committee
to draft banking bill. This COM
mittee will meet at Jackson Oct. l.
to begin its Idbors.
2. The installation of modern
system of accounting in all State
ilstitutions.
3. The creation of the Office Of
travelling auditor, with authority
to investigate all public officers
and institutions without notice.
A. Remodeling Of the primary
ELECTION laws, the fixing of assess
lments on candidates. printing of
official ballots and the regulation Of
Ielection expenses.
5. Reform of court procedure.
The judges of the State, in re-
cent convention at Jackson. pointed
|out many reforms that are sorely
needed to expedite the administra-
Ition of justice.
8. Providing for the election of
United States Senators by making
1.-THE Senators elective at the same
time as the Representatives in
Congress are chosen.
z. Codifcation of the public road
laws Of the State. The present
conEiicting statutes have brought
about a chaotic condition.
s Making the new amendment
to the Constitution providing fur
the election Of judges operative.
3. legislation remodeling the.
|penitentiary system and putting it
on a better business basis.
10. OverhauIing the State insti-
tutions and providing for a more
modern system Of management.
II. Providing for cheaper power
plants at the State institutions.
Nearly all of the plants are using
old fashioned coal-burnina plants
that literally burn up the State 8