The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1898-01-20
WHISKY AND PISTOL Law.

WHISKY AND PlSIOL LA w.
The Jackson correspondent OF
the Commercial Appeal under date
of Jan. IA, says:
A bill was introduced in the
house this morning and referred
to the committee ON ways and
means, that, if it passes clear
through, will result in a large IN
crease in the revenue of the State.
1t is an act introduced for the pur-
pose of levyiug a tax on all whis.
kies shipped into the State, and
reads as follows:
"Section l. Be it resolved by the
legislature of the State of Missis
sippi, That tax of 81 per gallon is
hereby levied on each gallon OF
whlskey or brandy shipped to any
county in the State other than
that received by physicians and
druggists, where liquor licenses are
not granted; said tax to be paid
to the sheriff OF said connty by the
parry or parties receiving same f;
and it Is hereby made misdemean.
or for any agent to deliver any jug,
jugs or packages suspected OF con,
tanning liquors until the party res
ceiving same shall produce q re-
ceipt from the sheriff.
"Sec. 2. All sheriffs collecting
said tax shall pay the same to the
county treasurer monthly, after
deducting 10 per cent. tor collect
ing, and all such money so collects
ed shall go into the common
school fund"
Whether or not this bill will 60
very far Is an open question. But
one thing certain-if it does, the
State of Mississippi will have mon
ey to burn. The jug trade in the
State siuce the State has practical
ly gone dry is something enormous,
This bill IS in line with the sug-
gestions Of various newspapers
notably the Aberdeen Ledger, ex.
tending over some time.
CONCEALED WEAPON LAW.
The judiciary Com mlttee this
morning reported favorabIy on the
bill to amend the concealed weapon
law. Hitherto the penalty has
both fine and imprison ment, with
out there being any discretion in
the court to omit the Imprisonment.
As will be seen, under the report
of the committee, if it becomes q
law, the minimum fine will be rais-
ed to larger sum, but the court
will have discretion with refer
ence to imprisonment. Here ia a
draft of the amendments reported
by the committee:
"Sec. 1. Be vt enacted by the
legislature OF the State of Missise
sippl, That chapter 104 of the laws
of 1896 be amended so that the
same, when amended, shall read as
follows, to-wit:
"Any person who carries. con-
cealed in whole or in part, any
bowie knife, dirk knife, butcher
knife, pistol, brass or metallic
knuckles, sling shot, sword or 9TH
or deadly weapons of like kind or
description, shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor, and. on conviction.
shall be punished by fine of not
less than twenty five dollars 1926,
nor more than one hundred dollars
(S100), or both, in the discretion of
the court. But the jury may re-
turn verdict in which there shall
be no Imprisonment, and IN such
case the court shall impose fine
only.
"Sec. 2. That any offense COM
mitted and penalty incurred prev.
ious to the time when this act shall
take effect, and any indictment or
prosecution therefor pending at the
time when this act shall take effect
shall not be effected by les adop.
ton; but all such offenses, penal
ties and prosecutions shall remain
subject to the laws in force before
the passage of this act, except the
court may in its discretion omit the
imprisonment.
"Sec. 3. That this act take effect
and be in force and effect from and
after it's passage"