The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1888-03-03
rsAw MILL" JONES STILL LIVErH.
His Newsy and Readable Article on
Legislative Matters.
senator j. IL. BiRfOrd Presented III
Bold Relief.
JACKSON, MISS, Feb. 20, 1883.

JACKSON, MISS, Feb. 20, 1885,
EDITOR GRENADA SENTINEL:
Supposlng that your readers would ike 10
hear from the Legislature, will endeavor to
tell them few things that have taken place
and are now being discussed. We have been
here about two months. and not single Dill
of State importance has passed both Houses,
except the Constitutional Convention Bill and
that was "squelched" by the Governor. The
Appropriation Bill has passed the House but
has not come to the Senate; it will no doubt
he amended when it does come. The School
Rill has not passed either House. The bill
offered by Senator Boone to take back the
Penitentiary from the G. & $. 1. Il. r. is now
under discussion. 1t proposes to cancel the
contract and give 1t in the power of the Board
of Control or Rail Road Commissioners, who
shall buy 2500 acres of land within thirty
miles OF Jackson and establish farm Those
who stay in the walls are to make imple-
meuts tor the use of the farm. 1t appropri-
ates sl5, 600 to buy land, and $50 900 year to
start the thing. 1t creates general managers,
wardens and guards, all to be appointed by
the Board of Control. 1t looks to the abolish
ment of the building in Jackson. l cannot
saw what will be the result of the Bill, as it is
now under discussion. The Bill to quiet tax
titles in the Levee district has peen discussed
bv the House for two days and nights, and
was passed this morning, think the Senate
will concur
Gov. Stands read his valedctory yester
day evening, and stated that in consequence
ofa serious throat trouble, his physician rec
commended him to not preside over the Sem
ate any longer. Senator Walker, the presi-
dent pro ten, is in the chair, and makes
most excellent presiding officer His long eX-
perience in the Legislator has given him an
insight into parliamentary rules, and hegoes
at it with perfect ease.
Senator Mcleod OF your district, is always
in his seat, and never misses roll call. He
is not a frequent speaker, but when he does
speak it is in plain, practicable way, and he
is listened to with profound attention. He
has taken an active part in committees, and
whenever anything has come up affecting
the interest Of Grenada, Talahatche or Quit
man counties, he makes up his mind calm
lyand deliberat ely and decides what is right,
and plants on it. I have known him TO vote
in favor of at least one important State mea-
sure that he was personally opposed to, but
he said he was satisfied large majority of
- his constituents were in favor of 1t, and he
proposed to carry out their wishes. | was
glad to read the handsome notice you gave
him in your last issue.
1t is almost useless for me to say that the
young and classic Longstreet has gained u
State reputation in his eloquent speeches.
,,;, / II, 10, ,lnl ne
one of the real leaders of the House; and he
has not gained the position by buster and
blow, but by his reasoning and fair discussion
He is truly one of the rising Young Demo-
Gratis Of Mississippi, such as Ine people and
party will need in a few yeats, for Congress
or State officers, and other high positions
Since writing the abovn .he Senate has de
feated the Penitentiarr Bill by four majority,
so the convicts will remain on the q. II :. l.
R.R. Col. FaIkner tells me that an engine
will run from GuIfport TO Hattiesburg,a dis
tance of y miles, in four months The
House has passed the Appropriation Bill but
it has not reached the Senate yet. 1t will
be amended in several particulars when it
gets in the Senate. The House discussed the
Bill to quiet the title to about one and one
half million acres of land in the Yazoo Delta,
and passed il. The Senate passed 1t also.
This will give relief to thousands of inno-
cent purchasers, and cause others to improve
and open up this vast tract of land, which
will add largely to the revenue of the State.
Col. j. r. Binford of Montgomery, has been
one of our wide-awake Senators, and take, II
prominent stand on all subjects; and l am
glad to say has the most solid following OF
any Senator in the body. He is so honest,
conscientious and truthful. as well as brave
and gallant, the Senators never doubt his sin
cerity or his patriotism. He made a speech
opposing the Penitentiary Bill which is said
to have defeated it. After due investigation
as one of the committee he was satisfied that
no unusual cruelty had beeu used toward the
convicts. He coutended that he was opposed
to cutting down the appropriations to sup.
the colleges, and then appropriate over
500, year 10 experiment on State con-
vict farm The State Is now getting 100000
year for the convicts and all expenses paid.
If this bill had passed 1t would have cost over
100000 ) ear above the income for the first
five years.
1t is thought we will journ about March
10TH, butthere has been no agreement that
effect. The House defeated the amendment
to the Constitution TO elect the Judiciary by
the people by 40 to 60, not two-third vote
yesterday. The Bill to charter the Grenada
Meridian & Pensacola r. r. will come up in
the Senate soon, and think it will pass.
could say much more, but fear your space
will not Wishing the old SENTINEL
and its genial editor, long life, and hoping
that all my old friends in Grenada county
have not forgotten me, am.
YOUR FRIEND,