The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-26
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE.
THE MINORITY REPORT ON THE
PRNITRNTIARY.
The Governor, Superintendent and
Lessees Completely INDICATED
Business In Both Houses,
IsPrcrAL TO TEE APPKAL.I

ESPECIAL TO THH APPEAL.l
JACKSON, MISS, February 25.-Sen'
ate.-At the session last night the
House bill 10 incorporate the town OF
Scranton passed.
Senator Packwood INTRODUCED bill
to amend the charter Of the town oil
Brookhaven.
The House bill fixing the fee Of
$1,000 for the Hon. j. W. G. Watson for
services as attorney in the recent rail-
road supervision cases was amended
by the Senate by increasing the fee to
$4,000, and the bill passed as amended,
after a spirited discussion Of some
three hours.
Adjourned.
This morning Senator Carey pre-
scented the minority report OF the
Committee on the Peniter tiary, signed
by himself and Senator Binford. This
report takes direct and positive issue
with the majority report as to the law
and facts in all material points per-
tanning 10 contracts for repairs aud i'm
provements at the penitentiary by the
leseees; the legality Of these con-
tracts, the amount and character Of
the work done and the value thereof.
II claims that these contracts between
the superintendent and the lessees
were made and the same approved by
the Governor all in accordance with
law. In support OF which they file
the opinions OF Messrs. Nugent and
McWillie and Judge s. s. Calhoon,
disinterested lawyers, and further
claim that the superintendent was
supported in his faid action by the
opinion OF the then Attorney General.
They claim that the work charged for
came to the specification in each case
to that for which payment was 81
lowed, and that the charges in each
case we're Just aud reasonable. As to
the specifications Of the work and
reasonableness of the charges therefor,
they are supported by four of the lead
ing architects OF this place, whose ex-
perience and capacity as architects
and whose characters for high stand
ing, honesty and integrity, are certified
to by the Circuit judge Of this district,
county officials of this county, the
leading bankers and other lead
ing citizens OF this city. This report
is correct aud completely vindiCates
the Governor, Superintendent OF the
and the lessees from any
wrong doing or omission OF duty in
connection with the matters in ques-
lion. Both reports will be published,
and the public can judge for them.
selves.
The bill to amend the law incorpor-
atinR the Board OF Levee Commission
ers for the Yazoc- Mississippi Delta
was the special order, and occupied
The morning session OF the Senate,
result. The bill provides, as
amended, for the issuance OF 100000
II bonds, to run for twenty years at 8
per cent. per annum interest. In addi-
ion to an ad valorem tax OF 13 mills
lnder the present law, assessed on all
ZEAL and personal property in the dis
riot, 1t provides for cotton tax on all
,otton raised in the district, being
'.twentiethg of pc. cent. on lint cot
on in the riparian counties and
ttwentieths Of / per cent. in the in
and counties; also a tax on seed-cot-
on, which is left blank in the bill.
Mr.. Powell offered an amendment
,o-day which has ELECTED q spirited dis
,ussion. 1t is to levy a tax OF $3.50
Der mile on broad-gauge railroads in
he district, In addition to the ad va
orem tax Of 10 mills or $l60 80 per
nile now paid and $75 per mile on
larrow-gauge railroads; also, a priv
lege tax OF $40 per mile each on all
lines, express and sleeping
ar companies. IL also provides for
'ther privilege taxes on certain bust
less.
Mr.. Luse offered a substitute for the |
amendment, providing q tax OF SI26
'er mile on broad-gauge railroads in
leu oil all other levee taxes and $40 |
,er mile on narrow-gauge railroads al
lso, a tax OF 500 on stores and !
aloons retailing liquors and $50 on
bose selling in quantities over gal
On.
Mr.. billiard proposed to amend Mr.. |
uses substitute by fixing the tax on
road-gauge railroads at 500 per mile,
which the Senate adjourned
ii 1880 o'clock pm. @
HousR.
The session last night was occupied
/ memorial services, composed of
llogies on former members Of the
sgislature who died since last SEES
ON.
Bills passed to-day: To reduce the
expenses OF maintaining the different
late institutions; Senate memorial to
ongress for an appropriation for i'm.
rowing the Tombigbee river; to pre-.
ant certain stock from running at
rye in Benton county; appropriating
900 to maintain the exhibits of the
ate at the Exposition.
The committee to investigate the
larges against w. L. Lowe made
leir report A resolution OF expul-
on was voted down.
The House had under consideration
special order a general local OPP
on law, which was discussed till ad-
Adjourned till ESQ O'Clock pm.
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