The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-03-12
HOUSE
MONDAY, March ., 1874.
IIOUs
Adjourned

HOUSE.
MONDAY, March ., 1874.
PETITIONS,
Mr.. Gill presented petition from The
Board of Supervisors of Marshall county IN
reference TO the taxation of Banks.
RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. Walker, Of Alcorn, introduced the
following:
Resolved. That the Judiciary Committee
be instructed To inquire and report by what
authority, III any, State property Is insured
against loss by fire, and If there be no legal
authority therefor, what right, If any, would
the State have to recover In case of loss;
and If officers paying premiums for insu-
rance out of State funds are not liable 10 The
State for the amount so paid; adopted.
Mr.. Packwood introduced ii. Z. Res In
reference 10 the investigation OF the acts
and proceedings of the Peal RIVER I'M
provement ana Navigation Company
adopted.
Mr. Harris introduced the following:
Whereas Certain charges of bribery and
CORFU ption have been publicly and constant
| ly made through the newspaper press OF the
State and otherwise against persons, some
of whom are now occupying seats as mem
bers of this House, and that their votes AN q
influence were obtained ia favor OF certain
| railroad legislation by means OF money
and,
Whereas, 1t is matter of the greatest
! i'm portance to the people of the state OF
Mississippi that the legislation of the state
should be controlled by honesty, and should
be carried on in the interest OF the whole
people, and not TO subserve the selfish pur-
poses of the few;
And whereas 1t is due to the Legislators
of this State and the people TO whom they
represent that these charges should be in
vestigated; therefore, be it
Resolved, That a committee Of seven be
! appointed by the House, whose duty 10 shall
| be To Investigate all charges of bribery aud
corruption that may be brought before
| them, or that they may deem proper To in
quire into, and that said committee have
| full power to send for persons and papers,
/ and compel the attendance OF witnesses.
| And 10 enable said committee to execute
| the power hereby given, II is authorized TO
/ appoint an officer to execute summons any
! where within the State, and ca appoint "A
| clerk for said committees; aud HAT the
| chairman of said committee, or any mem
Der acting as chairman OF tie same. or any
| sub-comm ttee, be author lied To administer
| oaths TO all persons brought before them az
| witnesses. And that all the testimony taken
| by said committee shall be reduced Ia writ
! ing and reported to this House, at the ear
| liest day practicable.
| Mr.. Cessor moved to refer the Reso ution
| to a Special Committee of Five
Mr.. Spelman moved to table the resolu-
| ton. Lost; yeas "a, nays AZ.
The following explanation WAS made:
We vote in the Affirmative with the under
standing that Hon. O. &. French VIII intro
duce resolution To provide for the appoint
ment Of a committee, majority OF whom
will beAcomposed of members Of the OppO-
sition party, who will, i'm our judgment, be
more apt TO make an impartial report, and
deprive the press of accusing Mr.. French oil |
being sheltered by committee of his own |
party.
+. "A. CLovER,
M. CHANDLER,
j. j. SPELMAN,
M. MCNEESE,
HORTON, Of Calhoun.
Mr. Haste, in explanation of his vote |
said:
1 voted to table the resolution, because !
certain gentlemen felt reflected therein. re- /
quested that tie opportunity might be af- |
fOrded them of asking an investigation, |
which they agreed to do at once.
Mr.. Landers said in explanation Of his |
vote:
Mr.. SPEAKER: / voted in the affirmative |
because believe that the people in the cleo |
Mons of last fall elected those men to the /
Legislature whom they believe TO be honest /
in all of their dealings, and / do not think |
that it Is right for the time of the House 70 |
be taken up in the discussion Of matters Of |
this kind to suit the whims and caprcrs oil /
men anxious to supplant themselves in the |
good will of their fellow-mem bers to the |
detriment OF other members.
Mr.. French moved 60 amend "a follows:
BY adding with the execution of the |
charges against o. G.. French. which being |
so much more serious than the charges |
against any other member, that a special |
committee be appointed To investigate the |
charges against him as requested by him "
The amendment was adopted; and the /
resolution as amended was adopted.
Mr.. French requested that when the COM
mlttee OF investigation in his is APP |
pointed that IL be composed 81 members OF |
the opposite party.
Mr.. benson offered the following:
whereas. The present system of taking
dispositions in chaucery and common law |
suits in this State Is expensive and causes
much delay, be II therefore
Resolved by the IDESe of Representa-
tives OF the STATE at Mississippi, That the
Judiciary Committee be Instructed IN in |
quire into and report the eXpediency Of
taking all testimony by oral interrogations |
in open court. under such rules as NAV he
thought necessary, and that the committee
report by bill or otherwise; adopted
Mr.. Fcemster offered the following:
whereas, There are several propositions
being discussed (privately), looking to the
formation OF new counties and,
whereas, Such movements are usually
cotton up in the interest OF few, to the |
dissatisfaction and injury of the many and
to the increasing of the burden of taxation,
which ls already very onerOus; and,
whereas, These PROPOSITIONS are dis !
tracing to the minds of ,he members. and
divertiDR them from the i'm portant business |
necessary to be accomplished, and If enter
Lalneu Dy tnls House " III consume a great |
deal OF valuable time; therefore. be IL
Resolved, That this House. during this
session, Will not entertain any propOsittou
lot the formation of any new county:
tabled.
Mr.. Spi2ht offered lhe following:
Resolve, il t no proposition will be en-
tertalned by this House 10 iueort,orate any /
society, association. or other institution. the
Incorporation of which. j. provided Tor IN
1871. -,.-
Resolved, further, That no application
Tor the removal of civil disabilities Of nil
norlty ~ any case for which provision is
made in an Act entitled an Act 70 provide
Tor the removal OF disabilities OF minority
IN all cases when "A nee isitv exists s., II hour
legislation approved April 8. 1872 viii bp
entertained by this House; tabled
INTRODUCTION or BILLS.
Mr.. Sullivan introduced an Act to amend
an Act entitled an Act TO fund the floating
cent or the state, and issue Sinking Fund
Bonds. ana for other purposes, approved
April 4th, 1872.
Three hundred copies or the bill was or
dered printed for the use OF the House and
referred.
Mr.. Clover introduced an Act for the re-
lief of Mrs. Martha An Jackson, of Amite
county.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS.
By Mr.. FTeBch--An Act to amend section