The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1917-10-04
GOVERNOR B|LB0
TALKS TO SOL0NS
REVISION OF STATE TAX LEVY
AND NEED OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
FULLY EXPLAINED
GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS
les and Gets Down to Real
Work for Which Session
Was Called.

Jackson.-Governor Bilbo appeared
in person before the joint session of
the assembly and delivered compre-
hensive message telling the legisla-
tors just why they were called at this
time. Bills were introduced in the
senate by Senators Chaplin, Yawns
and Wilmington covering the subjects
of vital interest to the people.
The governors message in full fol
lows:
Gentlemen of the Mississippi Legislature:
| want to repeat again that in exercising
my authority under section 121 of the
constitution, l regret exceedingly the i'm
perative necessity that moved me to call
you together in extraordinary session. In
Issuing my proclamation j enumerated
eight subjects of the greatest concern to
tho people of Mississippi, and with your
permission and patience / desire to elab-
crate upon the bearing that these ques-
tions have upon the welfare and interest
OF the state at large.
/ desire to call your attention to some
facts that there may be better under
standing between us as to why l am of
the conviction that these matters deserve
Immediate legislative action. There are
other subjects of the greatest vital con-
perhaps properly consider, but with the
exception of a very few l can no m. .
terial disadvantage to the general welfare
to postpone their consideration until the
regular session. which convenes next jan
uary.
So vitality concerned are the people of
Mississippi in some of the questions to
which am respectfully directing your at
tention that today all the people of Mis-
sissippi have their eyes and minds direct
ed towards the Capital City, where you
are now about to begin your labors.
You have before you an opportunity to
make new record of which you may be
justly proud by promptly and expeditions
ly tranSacting the affairs of the people
and returning to your homes and loved
ones at the earliest possible moment. it
is my hope that you will profit by the
splendid example set by our sister state.
Louisiana, which has had recent SeS-
sion of her legislature; session that was
void OF all politics, wranglings and every
thing that had a tendency to delay or OBJ
struct the speedy and impartial action OF
the legislature upon the matters present.
ed for its consideration.
Since the last time you gentlemen were
in session many things have happened
that have affected our state and nation.
We are today engaged in great world
war, fighting for the honor and integrity
of our people as a nation and for human
ity and world democracy. 1t is 4 strug-
gle in which we are called upon to Sacri-
a great many of our splendid citizens.
The. forces barrayed against us in this
conflict are so we'll organized and pre-
pared that it is demanded of every citi-
zen, man, woman and child that they
contribute their bit towards the success
full termination of this conflict in which
the life and welfare of not only this great
nation but of all the free people of the
earth are hanging suspended III the ball
ance.
So serious is the situation that con-
fronts us. so much is there to be done.
and so great is the need for each and
every one to conserve their efforts and
energies for the proper defense of our
common country that We have no time
to spare nor should we have any pa
thence with petty, partisan politicians
who try TO intrude themselves upon the
deliberations of this splendid body OF men
engaged in transacting governmental al
fairs which are necessary at this time
Far Reaching Problems.
So far reaching are some of the prob
lens that now confront you for solution
that there is demanded the best efforts
that within you lie, to properly, justly
and euuitably settle those questions upon
which so much depends. You must bring
70 bear in their solution all the wisdom
and patriotism that you possess d1h
sure that by eschewing all politics, dlsi e
earding all selfish interest and eXcludlns
everything that is foreign to the supJects
y
have already set a new pace Tor CON
structive and progressive legislation IN
Mississippi will not disappoint the fondest
expectations of a hopeful and inteiiseht
people to whom you owe your best efforts.
The first matter to which have direct
ed your attention IS providing the neces-
sary funds for the October distrip.tlon
for the support and maintenance OF .me
public schools of the state for the llrSt
part of the scholastic year 1slt-l3lN. Inc
times fixed heretofore for the distribution
of the public school fund We're January
and June, but the legislature or .9i'
button in January and October Inc
scholastic year of 1916-1914 closed WIN
balance of only two or three huhureu
dollars in the state treasury
The public schools of the state Tor TINS
scholas site year begins in September ana
unless some provision is made the, thou-
sands of public school teachers VINO re1
ceive at best a very small salary. WI
be compelled to go without pa! oay uh-
til the spring of 1913
This is asking too great a sacrlflce
and imposing too great hardsIhp Oh III. ii
part of the poorly paid teachers u e .e
state and ] am sure that there are
enough friends to the cause OF pupllc
education in this legislative BODY 70
make some provision for the paEment o.
This great army of unselfish and patriotic
laborers who are training the citizens o.
the commonwealth of tomorrow
Tax Leves Important
Since the birth of the state an IN
creasing population and CONSEQUENT
growth and enlargement OF all 81 our IN
etitutions fost cred and provided for by
the state, have forced an ever increasing
demand for more funds for their proper
maintenance During the last eight or
ten years this necessary demand OF the
stata has been unusually great, but
through a fundamental weakness in our
revenue and assessment laws, notwith-
standing the phenomenal development OF
orr resources and the rapid growth OF
orr wealth, the revenues for the mainte-
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n McClanahan was elected mayor