The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1963-08-01
Coleman Will Steer Us Safely
Continued from Page One)

from Page One)
though sales were not, thus creating
an almost impossible law enforcement
problem.
A long existing, ugly image OF Mis-
sissippi as a marriage milP' was
erased forever during the Coleman
administration.
All of these gains that we are to-
day enjoying as a state and people
came about because j. P. Coleman pro-
vided strong, f~ar-sighted leadership.
Our Mississippi Ship of State had a
firm and trained hand at the controls
who knew what he was doing and
where he was going, ever if some Of
us could not see or understand every
thing he was doing at the time. But
Coleman knew - and he maintained
that kind of control, over racial mat
tiers. among others, without tremor or
turmoil, headaches or headlines.
At the same time Governor Cole
man exercised sound fiscal response
bility, leaving a nice $34I2 million
surplus in the state treasury, an en-
viable position which the state has not
since held.
The man who assumes the office Of
governor in January, despite certain
denials, will face a deficit financial
situation conservatively estimated at
$40 to $51 million, contrary to claims
of some partisan newspapers. It is 60
ing to take something of a financial
genius. to continue to provide the serv-
ices and facilities we are now accus-
toned to- having in Mississippi and not
increase the tax load, but Candidate
Coleman believes he can do, it and has
promised to try.
Aside. from all of the wonderful
material or economic gains for Missis-
sippi, and any honorable man must
admit they are considerable, the great
est contribution of J.. P. Coleman as
governor was the man himself.
J. P. Coleman WAS Mississippi, in
the eyes of the nation, just as Cover
nor Barnett is today.
And Mississippi, with j. P. Coleman
as the symbol, rose to the greatest
height ever held in the past 100 years,
Mississippi under Coleman became a
state with a future, a forward-looking,
not backward state. We began to
achieve a new status and respect not
before felt. This was heard every
where in the nation where the. men of
commerce, industry and finance meet.
The people Of the nation, ever else
where in the South, began to conceive
a new image of Mississippi. We were
moving ahead. Some of our sister
states began to emulate us.
Today all this is changed.
Too many of those gains have. been
set back or nullified by events at Ok
ford none of which can now be
erased.
But the election to be held next.
Tuesday will reveal to the world the
course Mississippi will follow il. the
future if We are, to be Mature
enough to handle our own affairs
under capable and experienced hands,
or if we are to continue to founder on.
the rocks Of Illustration, bitteraaess
and fear.
The neyt governor will chart our fu-
ture course whetherit be out into
the bright, sparkling mainstream Of
American life and opportunity as one
of fifty great democratic states in one
Union or in the dark waters Of
r~eactionary, totalitarians politics, and
continued deep-rooted suspicion and
fear of our fellow Mississippiana. and
fellow Americans.
One is a safe and sane course. !.
the other can bring only defeat and
disaster.
]. P. Coleman is the one man who
can and will steer US aafe1v III fhp Rna1y