Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1920-10-28
PROPOSED CHANGES
In CONSTITUTION
Mississippi's Attorney-General Ex-
plains Each One.

Jackson, Miss, Oct. 16.-Attorney-
General Frank Robertson today gave
out officially statement regarding
the effect OF each OF the five amend
ments to the constitution to be voted
on in the November election. His OBJ
ject is to advise the voters OF the
state of the legal effect of each
amendment, In event 1t is adopted.
Gen, Roberson's summary follows:
TO the People OF Mississippi:
Ii would seem to be proper that
some explanation Of the proposed
changes in our constitution be given,
so that the electorate may know just
what Changes Will be made In our
organic law if the amendments, or
any OF tnem, be adopted. This state
ment is not intended as an argument
for or against any of the five amend
ments proposed, but solely as mat
ter OF information to those who may
not have the opportunity to note the
proposed changes by personal inves-
tigation:
(1) The first amendment pur-
DOSES to amendment proposes to
amend section 10 of the constitu-
ton, which now gives full jurisdic-
ton to the board Of supervisors over
roads. ferries and bridges of the
county. Under the constitution as it
POW stands, this jurisdiction can only
be exercised by the board of super
yisors, and no other body could be
given joint or concurrent jurisdiction,
II the people so desired.
The proposed amendment does not
vest jurisdiction in any board, The
amendment proposes that the board
Of supervisors hereafter shall have
only such jurisdiction as may be
prescribed by the Legislature. In
other words, the proposed amendment
proposes to so change the constitu
tian in reference to jurisdiction over
roads, ferries and bridges as to place
The matter in the hands Of the peo
ple speaking through the Legisa-
f4re
It is but far to say that The rea-
son given for the proposed amend
ment is that it is wholly impossible
to have state highway, or highways,
II the board of supervisors of each
county has well jurisdiction as to
such highway in each county. AS IL
Illustrative of the situation--a state
highway running from north to south
through the state would pass through
IL to IS counties. 1t is said it is
futile to attempt to build state
highway with Is different boards,
composed of As men, having to be
consulted, and, in fact, ordering
things to be done in the particular
county, in common agreement, or
pursuant to common plan.
f2) The second amendment pro-
poses to change the law, which now
provides that the governor shall ap-
Reint the ievee commissioners in the
delta section of the state, so that the
people of each county in the particu-
lar levce district may select its own
lsyee commissioner by election, The
amendment sought would therefore,
make the levee commissioners elect
i've in the countless, instead OF, as
pow, appointive by the governor.
(a} The third amendment submit
ted amends section 24l-the fran
ghise section---so as to extend sui
frage to both males and females.
This privilege has already been con-
ferred by the recently ratified nine
teenth amendment to the federal con-
stihtion. The adoption of the pro-
posed amendment to our constitution
while conveying no new right, will
confer the right Of s4ffrags an wo-
mep irrespective of the federal law
it will keep straight the record of
opr state that matters OF suffrage
should be regulated and controlled
by atate action alona. Every reason
therefore, obtains for the adoption
',pf the amendment as proposed.
f4} The fourth amendment to be
yated on changes section 243, 50 as
to require the same poll tax Of 81 OF
women, as now required of men. This
is probably the most important of all
the amendments to be. voted upon
tThe imposition of this poll tax on
I both males and females is Of vita
Importance, so that the controlling
factors in this state will remain in
] the future, as at present, in the white
j voters of the state. A failure tt