The Canton times., 1902-04-11

tion Of 1861 are: Judge 8. II. Terral.
Judge Thomas III. Woods Of Meridian,
Hon. J. A. Orr Of Columbus, DR.. #. ID.
Isom Of Oxford Col. MD. l.. Stephens
Of Water Valley and James M. Nelson
Of Pike, now residing in Texas.
This old Capitol had a rough expe-
rience during war times. On two oc-
casions the Confederate flag was
hauled down and the Stars and Stripes
foated from it's dome Many of its
most valuable books were mutilated or
carried off and the tramp of Federal
soldiers resounded through these
chambers and passages.
In June, 1862, the public archives
were removed to Columbus and the
Legislature met there in February,
1865, and at Macon in August, 1864.
| witnessed the assembling of the
Legislature on May 20, 1865, as called
by Gov. Clarke. 1t was in session only
few hours, the members having re-
ceived a friendly hint from the officer
in charge of the garrison here that
instructions for their arrest were ex-
pected from Washington. They ad-
journed sine die, and in short order,
and took the dirt roads homeward.
The walking was good, under the cir
cumstances. A few days thereafter
saw squad of soldiers enter Gov.
Clarke's Office, heard the officer in
charge demand possession, and heard
the Governor express his opinion of
the whole business In a few weeks
thereafter he was hurried off to the
Fort Pulaski and confined in a case
mate.
pointed by President Johnson Pro
visional Governor of Mississippi. He
called delegate convention in August
to so change the Constitution and
statutes as to adapt it to the new
order of things. Hon. ]. Shall Yerger
of Washington county was chosen
president and your speaker secretary.
The delegates included many of the
wisest and most conservative men in
the State. But the Constitution, as
amended, was not recognized at Wash
ington, and the Senators and Repre-
sentatives elected that fall were not
seated The Legislature that followed
declined to ratify the Fourteenth
Amendment That was "the milk in
the cocoanut.
This convention, the election and re-
election of Gov. Humphreys, his re-
moval from office 'as an impediment
to reconstruction" the expulsion of
his family from the executive mansion
by an armed file of soldiers, the mill
tary rule and misrule that followed,
and the Black and Tan Convention
and Constitution of 1868 are quite
fully discussed in a paper prepared for
and published by the State Historical
Society.
One of the first communications ad-
dressed to the Black and Tan was
from the superintendent of the Jack
son Gas Company, who required de-
posit before he would turn ON the gas.
They notified him very promptly that
they didn't want his gas; that they
could make their own, and they made
it through four weary months, at an
expense to the taxpayers of nearly half
million dollars. If you will examine
their proceedings you will find the
word compensation" of very frequent
occurrence.
These episodes, with the reconstruc-
tion regime, continued through seven
long years; the impeachment of Gov.
Adelbert Ames, Lieut.-Gov A. K.
Davis and State Superintendent of
Education T. W. Cardoza; the revolu-
ton of 1875 directed by James q.
George and Ethelbert Barksdale-all
made hot times in old Mississippi, to
fully describe any one chapter of
which would require more time than
you have to spare and more ability
than l possess.
The Constitutional Convention Of
1SoU was the last most notable law
making body that assembled in this
hall. Our distinguished townsman,
Judge S. S. Calhoun, presided. 1t gave
us our present Constitution-the rich
product of such patriots, statesmen
and jurists as James q. George, Wiley
p Harris, w. S. Featherston, Will T..
Martin S. s. Calhoun, James L. AL
corn. H. F. Simrall, Edward Mayes, ].
B. Chrisman, R. H. Thompson, A. j..
McLaurin, r. S. Ford, Stephen D. Lee,
Monroe McClurg, John M. Simonton,
H. M. Street. E. o. Sykes, William G.
Yerger and others, whose names will
live in the memory of a grateful peo-
pie. That convention devised what is
known as the Mississippi plan" of
suffrage plan that has stood the
test of the highest legislative assault
and judicial criticism; plan that in
sures absolute and equal protection
and encours cement to all in the pur-
suits of life, liberty and happiness.
1t would be stale news" to recount
to our readers the recent food expe-
riences through which our people have
passed and the consequent delay and
damage to crops, loss of property. and,