Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1894-01-20
MISSISSIPPI MATTERS.
Work For the Legislature

JACKSON, Jan. 12.-The portion OF the
Governors message providing for the
Enforcement OF the criminal practice Of
the State meets with very general APP
proval. 1t seems to be generally recog-
nized 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 to keep the best
citizens off %iuries. Giving the jury the
privilege of the judge, Justice %Csmpbell
OF the Supreme Court thinks, would dc
more to improve the makeup OF the
juries than anything t~hatcould be done
The %penitentiary question continues
to be the leading question, and will be
till disposed of. More bills have been
introduced on this subject than any
other. In this is included, OF course,
the county convicts, though different
modes entirely will have to be adopted.
There seems little doubt o but the
Legislature will provide for the pur-
chase of a farm or 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 to 20 in providing
the necessary land. To provide a suf-
ticent quantity and properly equip it,
it is believed, means a much larger out
lay than the Legislature could be in
duced to make. 1t looks like there will
have to be compromises in this respect,
and that those favoring the farm, in
order to secure the appropriation, Will
have to yield the point of having con
siderable percentage OF the convicts put
on leased farms and public works, not
in conflict with the constitution. in
order to secure a good start in the direc-
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 to yield this
much. There is a considerable element
opposed to making any appropriation
whatever. This element favors any dis
position Of them that can be made, and
believes they can be proitably worked
on public works, such as ~levees, rail-
roads, etc. The levee boards say they
do not want them.
Rev. Mr.. Partridge. a venerable look
ing gentleman from Rankin County, is
here trying to induce the Legislature to
purchase for the use of the public "a mad
stone now in his possession, He claims
that it is a sure antidote against hydro
phobia, snake-bites and other poisOns
OF this nature, and he is confident the
sum OF money required to purchase it
could not be expended in a more phi
l%anthropic manner. The maidstone has
been in possession of his family fer a
long time. 1t Is understood to have
been taken from the stomach Of a white
deer, this being the only kind under.
stood to possess al. the virtues. 1t is
something larger than a so cent piece.
The Legislature has been in session
nearly two weeks, but on account of no
appropriations the members have not
drawn a cent for salary or mileage, and
some of them are on tho 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.