The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1919-03-07

aJrUnnrrvs. - m wars q most saruTaTy -sFafaTe.T Is well known
that up until then the levee funds had often been a matter Of
political barter and trade in the levee districts and that this law
removed the temptation that had heteofore existed to pile up
personal profit of the bank which was generally under the con-
troll OF a majority of the members of the levee board.
which the Agricultural High Schools of the state were estab-
lished. A bill having the same purpose in view was introduced
IN the Senate and passed that body and the same bill passed the
lower house, but 1t was thought to be unconstitutional and Mr..
Jofnston's bill was regarded free from constitutional objec-
tlons, hence it was that the house by a unanimous vote passed
the Johnston bill which was indeed a splendid tribute to tie
ability of its author.
In the session of 1914, Mr.. Johnston, in cooperation vita
its author, took a leading part in perfecting the banking law
which requires a guarantee Of bank deposits. Fhe public knows
what this has been worth to them.
In the 1916 session of the legislature, Mr.. Johnston gave a
great deal OF time to the preparation and the passage OF the
oil providing for farm loan banks, or as the bill is popularity
known, THE Rural Credit Bill This bill passed both houses
OF me legislature ana was veloeo 9y Coy. blloo, ana Wnfn me
bill came ", Tor passage over the Governors veto IN the lower
house, the Chief Executive did d thing never before known IN
the history OF the state, he appeared IN person before the lower
house and made a speech to sustain his veto. Mr.. Johnston
answered him and the debate between the two won new laur-
n%r 49, hT MS ta araimeI Domn ~ ta - no. ND" 4o -" " y IotreI
only one vote Of securing a two thirds vote in the senate. Re-
Gently the Federal Farm Loan Banks hav provided for the o.
Ganizatlon OF banks carrying cut The idea OF Mr.. Johnsto~s
proposed law and two have already been established IL Mem
In The year 1917. the farmers viii remember taa. Zt~ort-
cal storm swept over a large portion OF the state and helped 70
destroy what little cotton the boil weevil had left; the European
war was spreading its poisonous talons still further over the
staggering condition. TaXpaying time was in sight and II
many localities. especially in the eastern belt Of the state. the
farmers and many men Of little means could hardly see where
the extra funds could be got to pay taxes. Mr.. Johnston ad-
vanced the idea, and wrote the Governor to that effect, thai it
would be we'll to provide By legislative act for the suspension Of
the collection Of taxes in Ordert0 give the people an Opportunl-
" to recover from the terrible blow they had suffered. The
Governor did not see fit to act on Nh. Johnstons idea, evidently
taking the position that it was not practical, but the Chief EX-
ecutiye overlooked the fact that a precedent WAS set for Mr..
Johnstons plan in the legislative act of 1882 which provided
for exactly the same thing for the people OF the levee districts
whose lands were OverioWed by the Mississippi river. Those
who had to borrow money that year to pay their taxes felt pc
culiarly the pinch Of the times and will appreciate the force Of
Mr.. Johnstonis efforts. g.
This is but a brief resume of MI. %JohnstOn's legislative Re
cord. He was a factor ever TO be reckOned with in all Ieglsla-
i've matters and if he was opposed to a bill, there was usually
great effort made to get him lust vote but Tor Heaven sake
lOnt make a speech against It,
Later and last. but by no means least, when our country
entered the war, Oscar Johnston, though married, and a men,
Der of the Legislature which exempted him from military ser
ice, resigned his seat in the Legislature and went into the Tank
ervice,. the most hazardous in the army. He was stationed at
oittsburg, Pa, where he whipped to a fragile a Yankee Lieu
enant for cursing him. This act of asserting his rights as well
IS his proficiency, gave him a lleutenants commission. When
he Armistice was signed, Lieutenant Johnston and his company
in New York ready to sail for France.
These are facts about his public record and his military
ervice all Of which go to show him a constructive statesman a
,atriot in time of war who believed that service with has mind
nd body was better than ipservice. OF such material are
od Governors. Men of Lieutenant Johnstons mold will
uard well any trust committed to them and there can be no
iscount about a man of his caliber and of his record always
citing an attentive ear from the honest, upright, God fearing
itizen who does not care for the turmoil of public life and who
trust some one to look after official duties for him.
Even Mr.. JohnstonIs severest critics cOncede that he is the
1an who must be beaten, if the GOvernOrshlp goes to any one
lse. and there are thousands who believe that he Will WIN
gainst all corners in the first primary.
He is worthy and well qualified.