The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-01-18
The Legislature Letter From W. L.
G. Hunnicutt.


EDIroRs CLARION: glance at the Legisla
ture OF Mississippi gives enc very favorable
impression of that body The House Of Repre-
seutatives is composed Of men whose very at
titudes Al their desks in the Capital is sug yes
tive of their fitness for the high responsibilities
with which they have been entrusted Should
they. grove 10 be not goo legislators, thell
work must belle the promise Of their faces
few moments in the Senate convinees spee-
tator that those who occupy that chamber are
not wanting in the Feighty qualities which the
States Seniors should possess.
When these two bodies met in the Hall o.
Representatives for the purpose Of inaugura-
ting the Governor-elect, the scene presented
was Of no ordinary character. To see such
men as Governor Stone and Lieutenant-Gover-
nor Sims, retiring from office, while General
Lowry ami Mr.. Stands are indicted into their
places, the oath of office being administered to
the Governor elect by Chief Justice Chalmers;
to hear the able and statesmanlike inaugural
Of the Governor distinctly delivered to the hun
drads of listeners, ladies and gentlemen, VINO
thronp the spacious Hall; to witness all this
and more like il in the peaceful transfer of
gubernational honors from one Chief Magls-
rate 70 another mis- ht well have stirred IN a
Misslssippians breast such patriotic senu-
menfs as he had not felt for almost twenty
years. :,
With such Executive Legislative and Jedi
eial fuuctionaries as Mississippi now has, the
State must certainly advance in every path OF
prosperity.
LOCAL OPTION LAW.
was pleased to hear that bill has been in
troduced into the Legislature providing for
the decision of the question OF local sale OF
ardent spirits BY ballot instead OF by publish
ed signatures. Such law would AT once re-
move al the emharrassmentS and eompllca-
lions of friendship and business interests
from the decision of the question of license or
no license Many will vote no, who had not
The courage to refuse TO sign the petition of "A
friend Such a law would, in my Judgment,
be highly promotive of the welfare OF the
State.
CONSTITUTIONAL PROHIBTTIoN.
am informed that the present Legislature
will very probably submit 10 a vote OF the peo-
pie change of The Constitution OF the State
so as to prohi the sale ofintoxieating drinks
altogether, except for necessary uses They
could not do wiser or better thing. large
majority OF the people, without regard TO party.
desire TO have such amendment submitted
TO the popular vota. The Leg stature has long
lei the people upon questions of high moral
reform, ana especially u on that of the sup
preston of the evils OF the liquor tariff. They
have long since thrown the pnuS of licensing
dram shops upon the voters of each community.
Let them now throw the entire responsibility
of the liquor trGfhc upon the voters, and if the
sovereigns of the land choose to cut their own
throais the skirts of the Legislature viii at
least be clear.
UNIVERSITY FOR WOVEN.
A pretty strong newspaper wind is said to
have sprung up Of late in favor of establish
ing State University for Females. 1t is o be
hoped that it will prove to he only breeze
by reason of the gallantry, the
ehivalry and such othet spicy sentiments il
may be supposed to bear; but may il never
bring upon us the calamitons folly of |
exclusively for females. Some |
body has called ii, the Sentimental Universi |
ty The name seems appropriate. If the |
question were asked what does Mississippi |
least need of all conceivable improvements, it |
would he difficult to fad a more truthful
answer than q university for females What |
binders girls and young ladies from attending |
the splendIdly equipped and richly endowed |
University of the State at Oxford ? If the |
doors not open wide enough for the ladies' |
by all means lei tn m be opened But why
waste money to establish >uperfuty? Be-
sides the university, the State is far more
amply supplied with colleges and high schools
for girls than for boys. Not one in ten who
attend these institutions is willing to spend
the time and labor necessary TO complete the
higher paris of the courses of study proposed |
to be taught. But if the standard of female
education must be elevated, why not give
each of these colleges and high schools from
five to twenty thousand dollars piece tomake
them more efficient, and at the same time
enlarge and adapt the facilities of the State
University for the more thorough accommoda-
tion of females. II is gratuitious and false
assumption that the State has done nothing
for the education of females. All her schools
are open to all her children. l. has simply
not been customary for young ladies to attend
If we had one specially for la
lies it would not now be patronized. Females
nave not sought that style of education and
10 not seek it now. If they wish il. however,
hey can get ii ct the University at Oxford
W. l.. G. HUNNIcUTT.