r
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE)
V*
As the legislature enters upon the
ninth week of its existence, activity
begins to mark its deliberations. From
now on to adjournment it will be
steady grind with both branches. It
not believed that the legislature will
be able to get through before the 20th
at the earliest. There is a good deal
of important legislation which has to
be perfected yet. A good many bills
which are very important have passed
but one house, and they will have to
be taken up by the other house and
passed. The members are anxious to
be off, but they recognize that they
cannot jump up and leave a lot of im
portant legislation unfinished.
The senate now has the general
privilege tax bill, passed by the house,
and the general appropriation bill,
both of which are very important
measures. It is expected that both of
these bills will be passed during the
week.
The members of both houses are at
sea in regard to a bond issue, and
has not been determined yet whether
there will have to be a bond issue or
not. There are a great many mem
bers of the opinion that a the legis
lature will make provision to sell the
property of the State in the city of
Jackson, which is not needed, it will
put enough money into the treasury
to avoid a bond issue. No action has
been taken as yet looking to the sale
of any of this property, though some
bills have been introduced looking to
the sale of the old capitol property,
but the bill is still tied up with the
committee.
Some of the farmer members of the
legislature are getting restless. Spring
is coming on and they know' that their
presence is needed at home to super
intend farming operations.
FORTIETH DAY.
Convened in joint session this morn
ing. the two houses of the legislature
paid solemn and beautiful tribute to
one of its departed members, State
Senator W. B. Walker of Monroe coun
ty. in deathlike stillness the mem
bers of the two bodies sat for nearly
three hours while beautiful tributes
were paid to the life and character of
the dead statesman.
At the conclusion of the legislative
addresses Bishop Galloway w'as in
vited to pay his tribute of loving re
membrance to the dead senator, who
for many years had been his personal
friend. Bishop Gallow'ay performed
the marriage ceremony twelve years
ago when Senator Walker and Miss
Mary Dudley Sykes were united in
happy marriage, and his address was
one of the ablest efforts this distin
guished divine has ever made on such
an occasion. He ascended to the high
est flights of the eloquence of which
he is master, and his blending of beau
tiful sentiment with exquisite pathos
brought tears to many furrowed
cheeks.
The house committee on corporations
reported adversely on the joint resolu
tion introduced by Mr. Foster of War
ren instructing the attorney-general to
immediately institute legal proceed
ings to set aside the merger between
the Mobile & Ohio and Southern Rail
ways.
This report brings to an end one of
the hardest fought committee battles
of the legislature. Strong pressure
W'as brought to bear to secure a favor
able report on the resolution, and
equally strong arguments were mode
by the representatives of the two rail
roads. Col. E. L. Russell of the Mo
bile & Ohio and Gen. Thomas C. Catch
ings of the Southern, showing that the
merger is not a violation of the clause
of the Mississippi constitution forbid
ding the consolidation of parallel or
competing lines of railway.
By an almost unanimous vote the
senate refused to concur in the house
amendments to the uniform school
book bill, and a conference has been
requested on the subject, the commit
tee to be composed of five members
from each body.
The senate particularly objects to
the house amendment which changes
the personnel of the school book com
mission by relieving the governor
and attorney-general from serving
thereon. The original measure also
specifies the grade of the eight teach
ers to be appointed, and merely re
quires that they shall be "teachers of
known ability."
This is the result the school book
lobby hoped to accomplish, and conse
quently they are very jubilant over
the senate's refusal to concur. If a
discord should develop among the ten
members of the conference committee
it is certain that there will be no
school book legislation, as the session
is drawing rapidly to a close. Two
years ago the school book bill was de
fsated by the non-eoncurrernce of the
senate, and it seems that the lobby has
a penchant for accomplishing Its mast
effective work in the upper body.
FORTY-FIRST DAY.
The lower house passed the commit
tee substitute for the bill creating a
system of coal oil inspection in the
State and providing punishment for
the sale of adulterated oil or petro
leum products of any kind.
The measure authorizes the gover
nor to appoint an inspector in every
county for a term of four years, under
bond of $1,000, and to receive a com
pensation of 35 cents for every 100
gallons inspected, to be paid by the
party for whom the service is ren
dered. The methods of inspection are
carefully defined, the bill being
framed after similar measures of oth
er States. Other measures passed by
the house during the afternoon ses
sion were as follows:
Relating to impaneling juries in
counties having separate court dis
tricts: changing Supreme Court terms
from October and March to November
and April, so that the body shall con
vene and adjourn one month later;
authorizing the consolidation of mu
nicipalities and granting telephone
equal rights with telegraph companies
to erect poles along railroad rights of
way.
The senate passed the constitution
al amendments providing for an elec
tive Judiciary system, the measure go
ing through on Its first reading by a
vote of 29 to 6. This resolution also
provides for the Increase of the Su
preme bench to five members, and the
lengthening of the term to ten years.
The house has already passed an elec
tive judiciary amendment, which is
somewhat different in its provisions
to the senate measure, and a confer
ence will probably be necessary.
Bills were passed as follows: Au
thorizing boards of supervisors to
construct telephone lines; authorizing
Warren county to make refund to Ben
Grider; authorizing municipalities to
levy 10-mlll tax without consent of ma
jority of taxpayers.
A number of glaring errors were
pointed out in the report of the in
vestigating committee on the Univers
ity of Mississippi, and the document
was recommitted for correitlon.
FORTY-SECOND DAY.
The senate defeated the McLaurin
bill seeking to creat forty-five dis
trict courts in Mississippi, each to be
presided over by a judge at a salary
of $75 per month. The measure had
been under discussion in that body at
intermittent periods for a week or
more, and a hard fight was made by
the author to secure Its passage.
The senate passed the house bill,
creating a capitol commission to be
I composed of the governor, secretary of
j State, insurance commissioner and
revenue agent, and the measure now
goes to the governor for signature.
The remainder of the session of the
body was devoted to appropriation
bills.
Several minor bills were introduced
during the session of the house and
a number of committees made reports
on pending measures. The appropria
tion bill for the Mississippi A. and M.
College, which carries $213,000, not in
cluding interest on the college land
fund, was passed. The remainder of
the session was devoted to appropria
tion bills.
FORTY-THIRD DAY.
The only measure of importance
passed in the legislature this morn
ing was the geological survey meas
ure, reported in substitute form from
the senate committee, and providing
that the work be devided between the
faculty members of the University of
Mississippi and the Mississippi A. and
M. College, to be carried on in con
junction with the government geologi
cal work. The original bill was of
fered by Senator Boyd, of Tippah, and
the substitute embodies many of its
features.
Tho bouse reconsidered the coal oil
inspection bill and recommitted the
measure to the judiciary committee.
Some of the members are of the opin
ion that it gives the governor entirely
too much patronage to appoint a coal
oil inspector in every county.
The senate passed the senate
amendments to the primary election
law adopted in the house, and the
measure now goes back for concur
rence in an amendment eliminating the
clause providing that a person shall
not be allowed to vote in a primary
who is visibly intoxicated. On this
point a brief but very interesting de
bate ensued and the conclusion reach
ed by the senate in substance means
that it is every man's duty to vote and
the great American privilege of the
aforesaid man to get as drunk as he
pleases on election day, and none can
say him nay.
The constitutional question was
raised and several members declared
that it was the province of any man
or set of men to determine when a
person is too drunk to vote intelligent
ly. The house will doubtless concur
in the senate amendment.
The non-fraternity men made their
last, fight of this session in the lower
house to abolish the Greek
letter fraternities at the University of
Mississippi and the battle was lost.
The fight was brought up on the
university appropriation bill, carrying
an allowance of $159,046.35 for the
next two years. Mr. Ellis offered an
amendment to the bill providing that
no part of the sum should be paid
until the board of trustees abolished
the Greek fraternities. The constitu
tional point was raised that legisla
tion of this nature could not be placed
as a rider on appropriation bills, but
Speaker Thomas ruled the point out of
order, the Supreme Court having spe
cifically decided the question in the
contest over the appropriation for the
Industrial Institute and College.
A spirited debate followed, and both
sides made some sledge hammer argu
ments, during which the condition of
affairs at the university was fully air
ed. The amendment was finally tabled
and the bill passed. The entire after
noon was consumed in the debate.
FORTY-FOURTH DAY.
After a debate lasting for the past
three days at intermittent periods, the
lower house last week finally passed
the bill authorizing telegraph and tel
ephone companies to exercise the
right of eminent domain. There was
very strong opposition to the bill,
many members beHeving that the
semi-private or quasi-public corpora
tions should not thus have their lib
erties enlarged.
The appropriation bill for the In
dustrial Institute and College, carry
ing an appropriation of $159,548.14 for
the biennial period, was passed. Mr.
Patterson introduced a bill prohibiting
the sale of tobacco to minors.
The senate passed the general ap
propriation bill to defray the current
expenses of the various department®
of State government for the next two
years. A measure was passed autnor
iziug boards of supervisors to supple
ment the State pensions by making
payments to pensioners from county
funds.
Good-by to Peruna.
The senate today passed a bill pro
hibiting the sale of Peruna, Jamaica
ginger and all forms of intoxicating
bitters or remedies.
The vote bn the bill was 22 to 12,
and although a motion to reconsider
was entered, there is little hope of
accomplishing the defeat of the meas
uer when it is again called up on the
motion.
Much jocularity and good natured
jibing took place in across-the-aisle
conversation during the discussion of
the bill, and also In open debate. One
member remarked that its passage
would be a direct insult to a certain
eminent Mlssissippian now in private
life, whose picture frequently adorns
the Peruna advertisements in dally
and weekly newspapers. During the
discussion a few members asserted
that Peruna is really a valuable medi
cine, while others contended that if
persons want to drink whlBky that
they should use good whisky and not
stuff that Is doped up and sold under
the guise of a proprietary medicine
At any rate, if the bill passes the
house and receives the signature of
the governor, it is good-by to Peruna
and all similar drugs in Mississippi,
and there will be much weeping and
gnashing of teeth in the "dry'' towns,
where the local drug patent medicine
shelf is the popular resort of those
who love the cup that cheers. In
many of these towns honors are about
even between Peruna and Jamaica
ginger as the popular beverage, and
of late years certain kidney remedies
have entered into the lively competi
tion. Alternated indulgence la these
compounds is said to produce fne fierc
est sort of a jag, having a duration
much longer than that acquired by the
use of the common lntoxicnuts sold in
"wet" communities, and with the sale
of these prohibited it verily seems that
the lot of the boozer Indeed becomes
a hard one.
FORTY-FIFTH DAY.
The Confederate veterans in the sen
ate were very much stirred up last
week over the bill seeking to change
the name of Lincoln county to Jeff
Davis county, in honor of the cmeft&ln
of the Lost Cause.
In spite of the explanation of the
member from that district that the
people of Lincoln county did not de
sire a change of name, the measure
received a very serious consideration
from members, especially Senators
Fritch, Henry and Gordon, who' were
opposed to perpetuating the name of
Lincoln in Mississippi, and declared
that all counties bearing names in hon
or of any person who opposed the
South, or who were involved in the
carpetbagger regime during the days
of reconstruction should be changed
Tbo bill was indefinitely postponed.
Educational and appropriation bills
occupied the attention of the house
during the morning. Measures were
passed for the support of the East
Mississippi Insane Hospital, the de
partment of archives and history, and
allowing the Supreme Court a mes
senger. Several incidental measures
relating to county superintendents of
education were passed, among the
number being a bill to make the sell
ing or giving away of examination
questions a misdemeanor. This recalls
the prosecution of the celebrated
Wardlaw case, from Yazoo county,
wherein it was impossible to punish
the offender on account of the lack of
a specific statute on the subject. The
bouse passed a bill making the first
of September, Labor Day, a legal holi
day. The measure had previously
passed the senate. The house com
mittee on buildings and grounds re
ported adversely to the proposition to
sell the governor's mansion and the
old State house grounds. Mr. Allen
introduced a bill authorizing an issue
of one million dollars in State bonds,
or so much thereof as may be neces
sary, the sum to be issued to be placed
at the discretion of the governor.
Bonds Are Necessary.
By the narrow majority of one vote,
the result standing 56 to 55, the lower
house declared against the proposition
to increase the State tax levy from
six to seven mills, and commits itself
in favor of allowing the governor to
make a bond issue not exceeding one
million dollars to .'.stray the current
expenses of government during the
next two years, in case he should find
it necessary to do so.
The lower house passed a hill au
thorizing the erection of new build
ings and the selection of a new site
for the deaf and dumb institute, the
total expenditure therefor not to ex
ceed $100,000.
The bill authorizes the sale of the
present deaf and dumb institute prop
erty, which is estimated to bo worth
about. $125,000, and contemplates the
use of the funds thus derived for the
erection of the buildings for the new
institutions. The buildings proper are
to cost not exceeding $75,000, and in
case the commission fails to find any
State property in Jackson, either at
the insane hospital or the deaf and
dumb institute lands in the western
suburbs, suitable for a site, they may
spend not more than $25,000 for the
purchase of a tract not to exceed 160
acres.
Since the old buildings of the deaf
and dumb institute were destroyed by
fire two years ago, the institution has
been occupying cottages erected on
the old site, and confidence is felt that
a ready sale can be obtained for this
property.
COMMENT AND CRITICISM.
Some Opinions on Legislation Past,
Present and Prospective.
Kid Glove Farming.
A desperate hut unsuccessful at
tempt was made in the senate last
night to defeat the appropriation bill
for the agricultural experiment sta
tion at. McNeill,
especially those belonging to the older
set, expressed their contempt for tx
perimental farming. Senator Thrash
er stated that when he wanted infor
mation on agricultural subjects he
would go to some practical farmer,
and not to a kid glove experimenter.
Several members,
Appropriation Bills Finished.
The two bodies finished practically
all of the appropriation bills last
week. Nearly all the State education
al institutions have been looked after.
The university appropriation went
from the house to the senate and the
1. I. and C. appropriation passed by
the senate is in the hands of rlie
house committee on universities and
colleges. The Mississippi A. and M
Colllege appropriation bill has been
sent from the house to the senate.
Sample Telephone Bill.
After one of the hardest fights tha)
has taken place before a committee
during the present session, the house
committee on corporations finally sub
mittted a favorable report on the bill
introduced by the Hon. S. N. Sample,
of Holmes, compelling long distance
telephone corporations to connect with
local exchanges. The bill has already
been passed by the house and now
awaits the action of the senate.
Barber Bill Favored.
It looks very much like the legisla
ture is going to prohibit the importa
tion of Bohemian fishermen by the
canning factories along the gulf coast
during the oyster season and to re
strict fishing for oysters in Mississippi
•waters to bona fide resident citizens of
the State. The special committee ap
pointed to investigate the oyster in
dustry has made a report recommend
ing this course, and the chances seem
quite favorable for the passage of the
Barber bill making this pfovislon.
Sent to the Grand Jury.
Criminal proceedings seem to be in
prospect over the Mississippi Insane
Hospital land purchase, the report on
which, submitted by the committee on
humane and benevolent Institutions in
the lower house last week cre
ated such a sensation, the committee
specifically charging that the trans
action was made for the benefit of Ed
gar S. Wilson. Somebody seems in a
fair way to have to explain to the
grand Jury, and the attorney-general
has been authorized to institute pro
ceedings to recover the money tlie
State paid out on the deal.
Opposed to Salary Increases.
The legislature is manifesting a very
decided reluctance against Increasing
tlhe salaries of State officials or em
ployes during the present session. A
hill as passed in the house last week
increasing the salary of the governor's
private secretary to $1,500 per year, as
it is said he is the most hard worked
attache of the State government. The
original provision of the hill was for
an Increase to *1 ,800, which was cut
down by an amendment to $1,500,
Llncolnltee Up In Arms.
The people of Lincoln county, Judg
ing by the comments in the Brook
haven papers, do not seem to be in
favor of the bill introduced by a mem
ber from Amite county to change the
name of Llpcoln county to Jeff Davis
county.
LATEST WAR NEWS
FROM THE ORIENT
Vladivostok Bombarded for Fifty
Five Minutes.
BATTERIES DID NOT REPLY
UiiMfllaita ('lnii
tlie Attack. Wan En*
tircly Ineffective—Another At
tack 31 a y Be Kipect
ed Soon.
Vladivostok, March 7.—A fleet of five
Japanese battleships and two cruisers
appeared off this place at 1:25 o'clock
Sunday, and bombarded the town and
shore batteries for 55 minutes.
The fleet approached from the direc
tion of Askold island, at the east en
trance to Ussiyi bay, and about thir
ty-two miles southeast of Vladivostok.
Entering Ussuri bay, the enemy formed
a line of battle, but did not approach
to a closer range than a mile and one
third. They directed their fire against
the shore batteries and the town, but
no damage resulted, as most of their
200 lyddite shells failed to burst.
The Russian batteries, commanded
by Generals Veronetz anr Artamonoff,
did not reply, awaiting a closer ap
proach of the enemy.
The Japanese fire ceased at 2:20 p.
m., and the enemy retired in the di
rection of Askold island.
Simultaneausly, two torpedo boat de
stroyers appeared near Askold island
and two more near Cape Maidel. The
Japanese ships were covered with ice.
The attack resulted in no loss to the
Russians, but cost the enemy 200,000
rubles ($100,000) in ammunition. Most
of the projectiles were 6 and 12 inch
shells.
The population of Vladivostok was
warned Sunday morning of the pres
ence on the horizon of a hostile fleet
and the prospect of attack during the
day.
CONFIRM REPORT OF DAMAGE.
v* Coii111
• f Dam
Lute \<
Report
age Rone to Forts.
New Chwang, March 7.—The latest
arrivals from Port Arthur confirm tha
report of damage done the western
forts by bombardment from Pigeon
bay.
Desultory night firing continues. The
civilian population is being expelled.
A traip has been derailed by an ob
struction placed on the metals.
No further damage has been suffered
by the Russian ships. The Askold has
been floated.
Rl'SSIAN CHMSFRS ABSENT.
itok Directed by
Attack on Vlndivi
Adi
I frill.
St. Petersburg, March 7.—Telegrams
received here concerning the bombard
ment of Vladivostok do not refer to
the bravery of crews, wherefore the
conclusion is reached that the Russian
Vladivostok cruisers were absent, try
ing for a junction with the Port Ar
thur squadron. Japanese cruisers are
in the Korean straits watching The
squadron which bombarded Vladivo
stok was a detachment of Admiral To
go's fleet, commanded by Admiral
Uriu.
TIIIXK FLEET IS BOTTLED.
Xo News ('onrci-nfmr tlie V'lailiVostol;
nomlmriliiicnt.
London, March 7-—There is not a
word yet from Japanese sources con
cerning the Vladivostok bambardment.
The general deduction from the news
Is that the Russian fleet is as effective
ly bottled up at Vladivostok as at Port
Arthur. Though the latter place has
not been attacked for some days, tha
ships there have not shown the slight
est sign of daring to go out of the har
bor. This also suggests corroboration
of the reports that the outlet is con
siderably hampered by the vessels the
Japanese sank there.
Admiral Togo, in bombarding Vladi
vostok, ic considered to have various
objects in view, first the hope of tempt
ing the Russian squadron to emerge,
with the view of attacking, amf also to
learn the general condition of the forts.
Some experts suggest that the fact that
the Japanese ships were covered with
ice point to the likelihood that the
Russian squadron is frozen In, the ice
breaker not daring to work recently.
The consensus of opinion Is that the
Russian fleet is completely useless for
defensive purposes. Japanese mer
chantmen and transports are going to
and from unarmed and unescorted.
Soya Is Was n Hi
Paris, March 7.—The St. Petersburg
correspondent of the Echo de Paris
says concerning the bombardment of
Vladivostok Sunday afternoon that the
opinion of competent men Is that the
Japanese wished to find out whether
or not the Russian squadron was in the
port of Vladivostok, in the belief that
should it prove to be absent it woujd
be necessary for the vessels to return
and defend the place.
Completed May Flrnt.
Kansas City, Mo., March 7.—Tlie
Rock Island's St. Louis-Kansas City
line will be completed May 1. The
tracklayers, moving westward, are 65
miles from Kansas City, and the grad
ng is completed to a point ten miles
oast of Kansas City. The connection
will be made with the 'Frisco track
for an entrance into this city.
Farm Sold at f1,000 an Acre.
Pana, 111., March 7.—John Heinz has
bought the Robert Ewing farm of 160
icres, in Rosemond township, Christian
county, for $160,000.
Xo New Development*.
Kansas City, Mo., March 7.—Thera
were no Important developments in
the truck drivers' strike Sunday.
Each '.ide is confident of ultimate vic
tory, and neither side gives any evi
dence of weakening.
Ruanln Admit* Lo**.
Yin Kow, March 7.—Russian private
letters disclose the fact that in the re
cent engagements between the Yalu
river and Ping Yang the Russians, with
superior numbers, defeated the Jap
anese. but lost heavily.
Lowtest Prices
Pure Drug's
Best SKill.
• • •
On this Basis we ask Y oat Prescriptions.
We keep only one Grade of Drugs • •
The Best.
• •
of toilet articles, perfumery, writing tablets and fancy
stationery, schoolbooks, cutlery, paints, oils, varnishes,
cigars, high-grade chewing and smoking tobaccos.
COMPLETE
LINE
.« •
.
Swinney & Stiglcr.
FIRST FLOOD MASONIC
BUILDING-. .PHONE No. 53
3E9D
1
Fresh Drugs
Every thing that we carry in stock le new
and Fresh } no shelf worn Goods. We oarry
a oomplete lino of everything found In a first
class Drug Store. Call to see ue>
In the C. A.
Pitchford Bldg.
East Side of
Public Square.
Lexington Drug Store
T. J. JORDAN
Proprietor.
L
r
SPRING HARDWARE
We have increased oar stock and are receiving oar Spring
Goods by the Car load sach as
Ranges,
Harness,
Fire Arms
Nails,
Plows,
Plow Fixtures
Cutlery,
f
Cooking and
Heating Stoves,
Reed's Anti Rust.
Crockery,
Shelfware,
Glassware,
In fact we keep in stock a complete assortment of all Hardware. Don't
forget we are agents for the New Capital Wagons, also for the John Deer
Plows and Brinly's Goods. Before yoa place yoar orders call on as and save
money.
f
Barbed Wire,
Granlteware,
'
Beall CSL HooKer.
j
you can Do without
ft Good
Hardware
Manu stores
But you can't do without a good Hardware Store.
To a housekeeper It Is as essential as the housa
Itself. Tho stook Is made up of many things ln»
dispensable to tho homo, farm and tho workshop
suoh as ..
Store
Is a neoessttjr In any community.
Don't break down your hard
ware store by buying from other
stores. Don't ordr off after
anything kept in my Ine before
getting my prioes. The needs of
the v 'tohen and dining room met
to the advantage of the pooket
book.
Storm, Hugos, Grotes, Henry Hardwars, Pomps, Piping, Bolting nod
Bogins Repair Parts, Guns, Loadsd Shelia, Outride**, Shot, Powder, Cops,
Bridles, Cellars, Buggies, Harness, Saddles, Blankets, Wagon Gear, Wagon
and Buggy Spoken and Rims, Tnlmble Skelna, Buggy Shall and Poisa, Cart
Shatta, Wooden Churns, Stans Churns, Jars and Crooks, Poakst and Table
Cutlery end Shelf Hardware, Home-made Tinware guaranteed hotter then
any you oan bay elsewhere. Tin Roofing and Guttering dene la order
IHAVH A TIH AND RBPAUt SHOP IN CONNECTION IN OHABQH 04
AN KXPHRT WORKMAN. 8RUECTION IS EAST. STOCK ATTRACTIVE.
ajmm BAXTER WILSON.
mm
i
I
■ 1 here's Standard
I Quality Here «• ** b~J
Remember this when you are in need of... .
Drugs, School BooKs, Stationery,
Paints, Oils, Window Glass
: >. or anythin* Kept tn a Hrst-daw drug store.
^STICKING TO
FACTS on<
BKBTPUCBS
b Ok repv
A 5. BEALL
TXT VS
-2
i