The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1961-02-02
Is Mississippi Heading For Another BiIbo Era!

DIice 1000 Wnen we became lntereS
in Mississippi and its state govern
ment, we have been proud of the kin
of men who have occupied the office {
governor.
Mississippi has not had to apologize
or be embarrassed by the character c
conduct of any of our governors durin
this 24-year period. Men like Hugh Whit,
L. Bailey, Paul B. Johnson, Fiel(
ing L. Wright. j. P. Coleman - all homes
men, gentlemen, and sincerely dedicate
to the welfare of Mississippi and it's pei
pie.
Not n of these men was involve
in a scandal either personally, or in al
1alrs OF state. No faint of graft or COZ
ruption tagged their administrations.
The same cannot be said by u nativ
Alabama and other states among GU
Thus we were rather shocked
right after Christmas when a former
member of the Legislature from
another county, a man acquainted
with the present setup in state
government, said he looked for scan
dals and corruption to develop in the
present administration of Governor
Ross Barnett.
The same man, not a supporter
of Governor Barnett, said he did not
think Governor Barnett was involved
personally in these scandals now-in-
the-making, but that he may not be
able to stop them.
X * i X
Only last week a Lexington bust
nessman said: Il hope we are not
headed for another Bilbo-kind of
government"
Since Bilbo was a little before
our day in Mississippi Che had gone
to Washington when | came to Mis-
~sissippi), | q asked him what he meant,
financially, race relations or what.
Everything" he replied, 'tfinan-
ces, race relations, the kind of people
working for the state in the different
departments, efficiency, everything
A little thought along this line
prompts us to ask:
Is Mississippi heading for an
other BilbO era of state government
when the state was rocked with scan
dals and conduct unbecoming to high
state officials? When we hit bottom
in prestige?
We are certain every reader is
aware of the great harm which not
only could but would come to this
state if such should happen, and we
may be nearer to it than we think.
Fol instance, look at what happene(
n Mississippi last month:
One of the principals involved ha.
the states General Legislativ,
investigating Committee of doing a white
wash job in it's probe of the Motor Vehicle
Department.
Troy W. Thornton of McComb, form
er weight station operator for the Motor
Vehicle Department, it will be remem
oered, resigned his job with charges O.
corruption in the operation of the station
which is under the Motor Vehicle De
)artment.
Thornton said he could not stay or
he job and remain honest, a serious &C
:uSatlon for a state employee to make
Charges of overlooking and favortisn
IT some trucking lines we're made by
thornton at the time he resigned. Some
'ulpwood trucks were allowed to exceed
limits by 1000 pounds, while other
,rucks had to pay penalties for excessive
oadsb he charged.
Governor Ross Barnett admirably
moved for a quick investigation, the heao
# the department said he welcomed an
investigation, and the General Legislative
Committee called in by the Governor went
work.
But the investigation was conducted
The Lexinei
!" ~