The leader., 1902-02-26
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.

IChucu tue tAJEd SeSSlOH SeCOuu Jlut
The last limit is February 2Sth-next
Friday-when the body is expected to
adjourn sine die.
The Senate raised the State tax levy
from D mills, as passed by the House
to 8 mills. This was done because
Auditor Cole. who was asked for his
opinion, stated before the Senate that
the appropriations had been so much
more than he originally expected, that
a mill levy would be necessary to
meet the expenses of the next two
years.
A bill has been passed by both
houses levying a privilege tax on what
are known as bucket shops,-places
where gambling in cotton futures is
carried on. There are a number of
these places in operation in Jackson,
Vicksburg, Meridian, Natchez and
Greenville. There is no law for them,
but they have been run by common
consent, except in Meridian, where the
grand jury has returned number of
indictments against the proprietors.
The bill, as passed, makes them legal
on the payment of privilege tax.
A bill has been passed authorizing
the voters of Covington County to hold
an election on the question of moving
the County site from Williamsburg to
some point on the Gulf and Ship Island
Railroad.
Both houses have passed resolution
submitting constitutional amend
ment to abolish the restrictions on
special sessions, as at present provided,
and return to regular biennial sessions
as formerly.
The antitrust bill passed by the
House was lost in the Senate. There
was tie vote and Lieut. Governor
Harriosn, presiding, cast the deciding
vote in favor of the trusts.
The Senate bill to establish an agri-
cultural experiment station in the
Delta, was lost in the House.
Senate concurrent resolution to
amend the Constitution so as to per-
NIT counties and municipalities to
vote aid to railroads was passed on
third reading, and will be submitted to
the people at the next election.
Senate concurrent resolution amend
ing the Constitution so as to permit
increase of salaries of judges during
term of office was lost.
The Governor has signed the bill ap-
propriating $4,000 for Mississippi
exhibit at the st. Louis Fair. The bill
provides for appointment by the Gov
ernor of a board of four directors, of
which he shall be eXotficio president.
The latter shall have charge of the ex-
hibit and will be the only salaried Off
cial connected with the exhibit, re-
ceiving salary of $1,000 per annum.
The house indefinitely postponed the
bill to provide for geological survey.
The house made several amendments
to the Senate primary election bill and
then passed it in preference to the
Bowers house bill. Among the house
amendments was one to abolish the
present State Democratic Executive
Committee. On being returned to the
Senate, this amendment led to long
discussion and the bill was recommit-
ted to the Senate Committee on Privi-
ieges and Elections. The trading pol
iticians and wire-pullers are doing
everything in their power to prevent
the passage of any primary election
bill at this session.
The Senate passed a bill yesterday
appropriating $1,000 for the purchase
of Beauvoir.
The Senate refused to pass the bill
appropriating S150,000 to improve the
new capitol grounds and remove the
State archives. The House likewise
killed bill to appropriate $3.50 to
place d marble slab in the new capitol
to contain the names of this legisla,
ture, the capitol commissioners and
Col. j L. Power.
A new circuit court district has been
created, to be known as the 11th, com
posed of Calhoun, Yalobusha and ad
joining counties.