The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-10-22
TAX COLLECTIONS
IN MISSISSIPPI
MAY Be DELAYED
Canton Chamber of Com
merCe Starts Campaign to
Bring Relief to Cotton
Farmers.

CANTON, Miss Oct. 22.-Facing
situation in the low price of cotton
which they declare will bring finan-
cial disaster to the cotton farmers
of the state, the Canton chamber OF
commerce directors have petitioned
Gov. Russell to call special session
Of the legislature to provide a delay
in the collection OF taxes. The petit
ton has been prepared by Secretary
Eugene A. Roper and is being sent
to all organizations through the
state. ..
To outline the plan in full. the Pc
tition addressed to the governor Is
as follows!
whereas it is apparent to us that
the low price of cotton prevailing
at this time will bring bankruptcy
and ruin to the cotton producing sec
ton OF the country, and,
Whereas the only available source
from which the great majority OF the
citizens Of Mississippi can hope to
obtain money to meet their obliga-
tions, as we'll as to pay the taxes
which must be paid before the lst
of February Is from the sale OF cot
ton, this being practically the only
money crop available, and, 49,.
Whereas it further appears to us
that in order to raise sufficient
money to pay the great burden of
taxation which has been assessed
against us for the present year, 1t
will require that the cotton now IN
the hands Of the producers must be
put upon the market at time when
it is perfectly manifest that a rea-
sonable valuation can not be OBTAIN
"Whereas the taxes due to the
state, county and municipalities and
the separate road districts and the
separate school districts throughout
the state must be paid on or before
the first day of February, otherwise
the taxpayers will be disfranchlsedi
and damages and other expenses Will
occur, and,
whereas there. can be no great
benefit to the state and the several
subdivisions thereof in collecting all
of the taxes at one time for the en-
tire fiscal year, and.
Whereas we do not believe that
the state will be in any way harmed
by dividings the taxes to be collected
for the year 1920 in two payments,
so that it will be optional with the
taxpayers to pay on or hefore the
first day of February, 1921, in cash.
one-half of the amount of taxes as
sessed against them, and the otner
one-half on or before the 1lrst uay
of July. 1921, and,
of the state of Mississippi, the tax
collector must require the payment
in cash of all taxes due. or collect the
same by distress. 1t appears to us
that a fair and equitable adjustment
of the tax situation may be Arrived
at by giving the taxpayer the right
on or before the first day or F'ebru-
ary, 1921, in cash one-half of taxes
assessed against them, and be al-
lowed to execute at the time, his
promissory note for the balance due,
payable not later than July l, 1921,
and the tax collector at the time Oh
receiving said money shall be re-
uuired to endorse on the face OF the
tax receipt, how much cash paid and
how much evidenced by note. pro-
vided that the note so executed shall
be a paramount lien upon all the
taxable property of the taxpayer,
who shall execute the same. And
the sheriff, or tax collector, may col
lect same when due by distress and
sale of property as now provided by
law, and.
Whereas we know that under the
existing laws this can not be done,
but that it is feasible to have an act
of the legislature passed which will
carry out the provisions of this sug-
gestion.
Therefore we earnestly request
you to call an extra session Of the
legislature of the state of Mississippi,
to be convened. (not later than Nov.
25, 1920. We believe that in doing
this that the state of Mississippi will
net be prejudiced and it will be go
ms long way toward the relief of
her people, and prevent the necessity
OF placing upon the market at prices
almost confiscatory of the cotton
crop of the state.
I'VE therefore respectfully suggest
that you give this your earnest con-
sideration and If in your judgment
tho wis lom of this act appeals to
you as it does now TO us, we feel
satisfied you will act accordingly"