The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1919-07-04
.Ex-Gov. Noel Dis
cusses State Problems
d rtnn Advertiser;

Lexington Advertiser:
Events incident to the closing of the
world war presents to our Legislature
many new and difficult problems, the cor
rect solution of which will severely tax
the mental resources of the very aoiest
men whose services can be obtained The
strained relations between labor and cap
ital require skilled readjustment, in ac-
cordance with new conditions, and with
fairness to all concerned. The insidious
propaganda of Bolshevist and other dan
gerous enemies to organized society
should be checked All avoidable causes
of grievances Of every kind should be
removed and mnimized, narrowing the
field of anarchistic activities Efforts to
create social and class welfare should be
checked. Such conditions as are destroy
ing Russia, Hungary and other countries
should not be tolerated. Confidence in
governments and of the ability Of our
people to properly rule themselves should
b. restored This can only be done by
the selection of good men to ofice-men
who will accord square deal to every
one.
Governments are created and operated
for the protection of life, liberty and
property, and of affording everybody
fair show to make the best of his oppor-
tunities. It's burdens and benefits should
be fairly distributed.
Our state government has borne no
part of the enormous war expenses, our
national government having provided for
that. Notwithstanding this, our state
and local taxes and bonded debts have
increased in about 600 per cent in the
last eight years,
Part of this huge raise has been con-
cealed by the swelling of assessments,
made under the plea that the actual tax
on the masses would be decreased by i'm
posing larger share on hidden wealth.
Examination of your tax receipts will
prove the falsity Of this claim. Really
the increases of assessments have been
so manipulated in the interest Of certain
favored sections of Mississippi that about
half of our counties have had returned
to their county treasurers for home use,
more money than they paid for the whole
state tax thereby relieving these, counties
of all expense incident to their own egis-
lators. judges district attorneys and all
\ education, charitable and other state out
1 lays and at the expense of the other
counties. including yours.
The United States government for sew
( eral years past has encouraged the build
ing of good roads in the different states
&by sharing a part, not exceeding one
half, of the expense, intending as did our
state laws to prorate this money, just as
s done in Arkansas and Alabama among
8an the counties in proportion to their
Aown outlays for improved roads. During
he present year. the United States gov
arnment has provided = for Mississippi
lbout $4,000, 100000, and also numerous
army trucks for this purpose, Though
Holmes county has raised for improved
Y roads in the past FIVE years about $780,
boo 90, IL has not been able so far to get
rom the State Highway Commission who
handles the Federal funds, a single dol
ar or single truck, while other counties
ave been literally provided.
These and other like acts of favoritism
nd unjust discrimination proves that
here should be radical changes in our