The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-03-19

Dear Governor:
L have been thinking about Ras-
sissippis public affairs with deep
concern for months. with the hope
that after the war, when our brxgh
and gallant boys were at home, cur
state would take on renewed fasth
and place the public welfare above
men and factional politics. taking
advantage Of the great lesson wR
have learned during this bloody war
and all unite TO make Mississippi
second to no State In the Union sn
agriculture, in education. in mat@gi--
al progress and financial achieve
ment. This would be a worthy ari-
butte to her great past. and to the
men and women who haye made
such sacrifices TO make the wc~aa
safe for democracy.
When this world war was at ITS
most critical period. and our allies
were straining to the breaking podnt
and the worlds freedom was IN th0
balance. they called their truest ana
best tried men OF long experiences 90
positions Of responsibility to pinot
them through the storm where char
acter, decision and judgment ana pa
triotism measured men for puoake
duty.
note from the public press, and
gather from the people generally In
South Mississippi. that many vOasrB
Of all classes. regardless of profess
sion. calling or trade. or poIittena
faction. desire You to enter the rara
for governor, and this sentimcne ~
without reflection on the gantlenzrn
already In the race.
I recall with gratitude anI prnae
that when the governor OF the STATE
II was you who carried strongly 10
the legislature plea for a Conf,FSk-
crate Veterans Home at Boauyoar,
and pointed the way to the estaas-
lishment of that great institutknn
which has come TO be an incompasa-
bic blessing to so many needy cid
patriots OF the Lost Cause. recall
also with pride that II was your aa-
ministTation that gave Mi4sissfpPl
a new capitol. which stands IN aM 90
its stately magnineenee and hean4y
as an enduring monument to Eks
States integrity public spirit. and
progress. II stands monpmnf;s f@
the fact hat ths million aeilars 49,
nF atsd an went into thc buidia&
abaf 4 wae bailt aifhaut grAg2.
scandal o. the suspicion ef ssflsor
and was nald Tor without the razs
Of bonds
u aas youE adminastsAttqn tlrat
found a ht and profitable solution No
the convict problem which had 81
long perpleNed the legislators ana
the people, by purchasing. at a uora-
inal price, large tract OF Wild ucd-
IA land. and converting II into tie
most profitable farming scheme in
the United states. il not the woflds
and which paid into the State Truas-
ury during the last fiscal year. SO
am informed, more than one n8l-
lion dollars. TO help lessen the TX
burdens OF the people.
II / mistake not. II was your acl-
ministration that reduced the saIto
tax levy, called in and paid in casa
nearly half OF the bonded indebte.z-
ness OF this s,ete ave years before
the maturity o. the bonds inherI6pa
from for..er administrations. tnns
saving ne taxpayers thousands of
dollars Of interest: --d that ~ -
end Of your administration tho cae@
owed the remarkably snais F@n *
$60O.eOe With $4,000 fn the
state treasury in cash.
In short, your administration IS
conspicuous for its constructive
work. for It's economic usage Of tha
public funds--debt paying. not fer
issuing bonds-for reducing n
public debt and for its general PRO
gress along educational and goT-
ernmental lines.
There Is another matter that az
peals powerfully to the hearts snsl
homes Of your felIoW-citizens. Tgaa
had three sons IN the war. I've OF
them are stiI1 under arms In Frznee-
IN active war work and IN sEsEy-
other state emergency. yen hsya
proven yourself 100 per ssns sxR-
eient and patriotic. This is . gGaT-
anty to the fathers. Mothers Els-
ters, brothers. wives and WideEs &
our soldiers and saflors-as ven Ea
20 nnr nnhla snIdIarn ana Nailnra