The Canton times., 1902-04-11

which their situation may seem to
merit
The Constitution was framed in the
little State House around the cor
ner."
The first church erected in Jackson
the Methodist--was completed in
1888, until which time the first State
House was used by the preachers who
came along-C. X. Marshall, John G.
Jones, Ford, and others.
On February 26, 1888, the first appro-
priation sos, ,000-was made for the
erection of a new State House. When
the final report was made, in January,
1910, about 100000 had been expend-
ed. Gov. McNutt expressed the opinion
that the expenditures had been un-
usually extravagant."
The present Capitol was first occu-
pied by the Legislature in January,
1889.
Although cannot speak from per-
sonal observation of any of the excit-
ing scenes that took place in the Old
Capitol from 1889 to 1855, when | first
saw it, we may well imagine the great
discussions incident to the Union and
Planters Bank bonds, the chartering
of gigantic banking and railroad
schemes, the Mexican war, the sensa-
tional absconding of Richard S.
Graves, State Treasurer; the resigna-
ton and arrest of Gov. Quitman in
1851, for completely in an expedition
to Cuba his ideas of expansion were
just forty-seven years "too previous
IL, rvs,a n1,o Io H., ht ~,
ber by Jefferson Davis, Albert G..
Brown, Sargent S. Prentiss, Henry S.
Foote, j. F. H. Claiborne, William L..
Sharkey, Wiley P. Harris, Henry T..
Elicit, J. A. P. Campbell, Edward Tur-
ner, James l.. Alcorn, Walker Brooke,
C. z. Hooker, Ethelbert Barksdale,
David G. Glenn, L. J. Gholson, o. R.
Singleton, Thomas ]. Wharton, ]. M.
Acker, Locke E. Houston, and other
great leaders of those days. Prentiss
represented Warren county in 1886
and 1887.
Gen. Andrew Jackson was the guest
of the State in 1910 and received an
ovation in this chamber. Henry Clay
addressed the people from an open
carriage in front of this building in
1874. On Monday night, October II,
1852, Col A. X. McClung delivered
before the Legislature his grand eu-
logy on the life and character of
Henry Clay. Louis Kossuth, the Hun
garian patriot, visited Jackson the
same year, as the guest Of Gov. Foote,
and was doubtless rendered public
reception at the mansion or in this
chamber.
This Capitol, when first saw 1t in
April, 1855, had been occupied only
sixteen years. 1t was then considered
one of the most elegant public build
ings in the country, and nearly all the
architects who competed for the new
Capitol have complimented its general
plan and style.
John j. McRae was the first Gov
ernor of Mississippi had the pleasure
of seeing. His friends in East Missis-
sippi loved to call him Johnny McRae
of Chickashay. He kept open house
at the mansion. He had many public
receptions and Pearl river water was
not the only beverage. He left the
mansion perhaps wiser, but certain
" a poorer man. He served his State
faithfully and we'll in the House OF
representatives at Washington and
filled a vacancy in the United States
Senate.
Gov. McRae was succeeded by Will
liam Melville of Madison-an accom-
plished, courtly gentleman OF the old
school. He was sharply criticised at
one time for his alleged too free use
of the pardoning power. In answer
ing this charge, in his message to the
Legislature, he asked: Would you
have me inscribe upon the prison door,
Mercy Never Enters Here?'
Gov. Neville was gentleman OF
ample fortune, and having thirteen
beautiful daughters, life at the man
sion was not regulated by the salary
attached to the office. Thirteen, 1t is
held by some. is an unlucky number.
But the balance of the family were
boys; and our distinguished towns
man. Hon. Thomas A. Melville, is
fine specimen of the latter.
The first great speeches that l re-
member having heard in this chamber
were by Jefferson Davis and Henry 5.
Foote. in November, 1858. Mr.. Davis,
being in the city, was invited to au-
dress the Legislature on the questions
of the day. This hall was packed to
its utmost. The speech had many
hints about dangers ahead, and the me-
cessity of preparing in times OF peace
for times of war. The Importance or
completing the fort at Ship Island was
urged.
Gov. Foote was also in the city, ana
so on the following night his admirers
insisted that he be heard. If he ever
had any admiration for Mr.. Davis, no
one was able to discover 1T. After
sharp gubernatorial campaign, Foote
came out ahead by a majority OF
hod iilct rpfnrnH0