Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1894-01-18
MISSISSIPPI MATTERS.


JACKSON, Jan. al se portion Of the
Governors message providing for the
Improvement Of the criminal practice Of
the state meets with very general ap-
prevail. Ii seem to he generally recog-
niEsd that the criminal laws and Jury
system need revision very badly. As
stated by the Governor, the Legislature
recognizes the wrong done by delay in
criminal trials. and the double wrong
that Is wrought by the present jury sys-
ten, which operates 10 keep the best
citizens of juries. Giving the jury tho
privilege Of the Judge. Justice Csmpbell
OF the supreme Court thinks. would do
more 70 improve the makeup OF the
j~uries than anything t~hateould be done.
The peni,entiary question continues
to be the leading question. and viii be
till disposed Of. More bills have been
introduced on this subjec. than any
other. In this is included. Of course.
the county conviets, though different
modes entirely will have 10 be adopted.
There seems little doabs now but the
Legislature will provide for the Pur-
chase Of a farm OF farms The vote in
the penitentiary committee clearly in
dicates this. which vote perhaps reflects
the sentiment OF the Legislature. The
question where the principal difference
will arise is just how far the Legisla-
ture will be willing 70 20 in providing
the necessary land To provide a sat
Hcent quantity and properly eqaip Is.
Il IL believed, means n much larger out-
lay than the Legislature coaia be in
duced to make. II Iooks like there wili
have 10 b. compromises in this respect
and that those f4vorinE the farm. In
order 20 secure the appropriation. will
have 70 yield the point Of having n csn-
siderable percentage II the eonvicts pat
oa leased farms and public works. nos
in conflict with the constitution. In
order 70 secure a good start in the direr-
ton OF a farm, and Of ultimately pur-
chasing enough land to provide employ
ment FOR all the convicts. those favor.
ing the farm may have = yield this
much There i a considerable eIemens
opposed 10 making any appropriations
whatever. This element iavurs any dis
position Of them that can be made. and
believes they can be probably worked
on public works. such a. levceS rail
roads, etc. The levee boards say they
do not want them.
Rev. Mr.. Partridge. 4 venerable look
ing gentleman from Rankin County, IL
here trying 10 induce the legislature T.
purchase tor the use Of the public a mad
stone now in his possession. He claims
that it is a sure aniidote against hydro
phobia, sn~ake-bites and other poisons
of this nature. and be is confident the
sum OF money required 70 purchase it
could net be expended in a more phi
lanthropic name The maidstone has
been in possession of his family for a
long time. IL is understood to have
been taken from the stomach OF a white
deer. this being the only kind under
stood to possess all the virtues. 1t is
something larger than a so cent piece.
The Legislature has been in sessions
nearly two weeks, but on o of nc
appropriations the members have not
drawn a cent for salary or mileage. and
some of them are on the anxious seat
about board bills. An appropriation
bill was passed yesterday morning. and
the members besieged the Auditors
desk for warrants all the afternoon. but
the Governor has not yet signed the
bill and they are still short of cash.