Macon beacon., 1917-10-05

that NJ better advertisement could be
given 20 The warIa " 81 ati+~ippis great
wealth. sPleuu.I values aGI untold pos
sibilitlss than 10 p'le" upon isi assess
msut rolls her millions and billions OF
wealth In property
] have directed guII attention t. tie
importance " creating couH 10 II state
defense II Is very necessary and almost
imperative IN order tnat Mississippi may
properly perform her part III thu grel;
and thorough pr r-Darat'0H that tire entire
nation Is now making fOr the proper and
successful conduct u the war against
our enemies
II Is necessary ia aiding and CO. operat-
ing with the national council IL aefens
created by recent act Of congress. and
with such other councils or bodies as the
respective stat = of the union may estae-
iiah for national defense and for the per-
fornance under the direction OF the proper
state officials Of any and all functions and
duties in aid Of state administration and
the ascertalnment OF the resources Of the
state capable Of utilization for military
purposes, or for the use and suEtenance of
our people.
IL il necessary for the advice and as
sistance Of our authorities In protecting
the people of the state against wrongful
and unwarrantcd specnlatnns. combna-
tions and other artful practices and ma.
the purpose OF forcing the consumer TO
pay an unjust. unfair and extortionate
price for the necessities OF life.
with the thousands Of patriotic Mis-
sis4ippIang there will be no trouble in .se-
curing members Of this proposed council
of defense who will gladly ana willingly
and freely give their time. their talents
and cnergies in this important war work.
and II viii be necessary only to make a
small appropria tiOn to pay actual cx-
penses IN carrying on the work that shall
be delegated 10 this body
State Militia Needed.
! am sure that you will not hesitate %
enact necessary legislation for the crea-
tiOn Of a state militia or some kind OF
armed power for the purpose Of preServ-
ing the public order, peace and tranquil
lity OF the state. when YOU are reminded
Of the fact that all OF the states national
guard has been mustered into the federal
service and are no longer under control VI
the state authorities.
The constitution and laws OF our state
make 1t n duty Of the governor to see
that the laws are properly enforced, and
that public ord sr IL maintained, yet today
there is not an armed man available for
this purpose. Society would be helpless
should mob break out or any commun-
lty be threatened by riots or other organ.
iZed disturbances.
In the course OF time II Is more than
probable, # the war continue, that many
more of our men Will be Withdrawn from
the usual walks OF life and placed In mil
ltary service and then more than ever
Will well organized and equipped state
militia be needed.
do not feel that the necessity Of the
passage Of proper law need be stressed
upon vet because by section 215 OF the
constitution OF our state ii is provided:
lnaTt tuIp hal la or
ganl21ng, arming. equipping and discip-
line OF the militia, and for paying the
ame when called into active service"
out OF our fullness Of gratitude and APP
probation to those OF our citizens who
are called into the service of our common
country in the war, the legislature should
promptly provide for the exemption OF all
sailors and soldiers and other persons In
actual military ana naval service OF the
United states from the payment of any
debts contracted prior to their enlist
mcnt while the nation is at war and for
n reasonable time thereafter. Some cred
itors may object to this proposed exemp-
ton, but believe that those who remain
home should be willing to make sacrifice
when others are sacrificing their all,
have especially recommended tho
pa ssage of the uniform warehouse receipt
law for the benefit Of the farmers OF the
state. to encourage the building Of ware
houses, the organization Of our prOduc-
ers so that they can protect themselves
against the dealers and thus obtain far
and just price for all the products Of the
farm. In this day Of wild and reckless
speculation the farmers of the state need
this protection
There are several matters that l de-
sire 10 present to your body in special
message on another day chiefly concern
ing the states financial condition. and
in this connection desire to make a rec
ommendation for some provisions neces-
sary for the protection Of the states
credits.