The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1900-02-10
OUR REPRESENTATIVES,.

For the first time during thu
present session the Mississippi
gislature yesterday took on al
appearance resembling its oldtime
liveliness. Both houses had W
for consideration as the special
order the penitentiary farm ques-
ton and the debate on the meas
ure throughout was spirited and
interesting. AT times it grew al
most exciting, and the members
who have been tacitly admitted as
leaders had an opportunity to dis
play their strength and ability in
parliamentary maneuverlng.
In the lower house the majority
was led by Mr.. Thomas of Wash
lngton. the author of the bill,
while the minority followed the
leadership of Mr.. Shape, the ven
cradle statesman from Lowndes.
The debate took place during the
morning and Speaker Russell at
times had a hard job to keep the
body under control. On more
than one occasion the house came
almost running away from him,
but at the crucial moment the
Speaker proved himself equal to
the emergency and brought order
out of chaos.
The minority opposing the bill
was not as strong from numeri-
cal standpoint as it was two years
ago when the same measure was
up for consideration, but it was
better organized and put up a val
liant fight. At times the clash was
well-nigh terrific in its intensity
and the shrewd maneuvering would
have done credit to the national
congress. Every point brought
up was fought to the last ditch
and when the opposition finally
went down in defeat it was with
the conscious knowledge that
plucky fight had been made.
Over in the senate the fight on
bill was battle of giants and the
contest, if possible, was more ex-
citing than that of the lower
house. The knowledged big men
of the senate were pitted against
each other and for several hours
they made the fur fly in very
energetic fashion Mr.. Gardner.
the author of the bill, opened the
debate with speech that was re-
markable in many ways. Here,
tofore Mr. Gardner had been one
of the quietest members of the
body and the onlookers had about
arrived at the conclusion that he
was booked for one of the silent
members. But Mr.. Gardner fool
ed them and his speech through
out was one of the most telling
arguments ever delivered in the |
upper body. In opposition to the
bill Mr.. Abbay, the good natured
gentleman from Tunica, was one
Of the principal gladiators, and he
played the game for all it was
worth. Antagonistic to Mr.. Alb
bay was Mr.. Noel, Of Holmes.
whose fame as ready debater IS
well-known throughout
Mississippi. Mr.. Noel is espe-
,laIly effective at repartee and
some of the passages of speeches
between himself and Mr.. Abbav,
with a few other members thrown
n as laginappe, were both anus
NO and exciting. Mr.. Moore of
Bolivar, made an imprisoned
'peech against the bill and as he
S an orator of no mean order his
address, must need be considered
IS one of the very best delivered
IN the subject. Mr.. Moore en-
ountered u spirited colloquy with
Ir. Noel, with Mr.. Abbay tossing t
n few side remarks, and then
he melee became general with {
lessrs. Dinsmore, George and
scarborough also participating.
PRESIDENT Harrison finally decided {
0 to take a hand, the forces lined '
p and the bill went through by a |
God majority. G