The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1902-03-13
WORK DONE BY
LEGISLATURE
WORK ACCOMPLISHED AT SES-
SION JUST ENDED.
MANY APPROPRIATIONS
Record Broken In This Direction,
Also in Amount of Special
Work Performed.


appropriations aggregating between
S., 500, 900 and S., 900, 900 the Missis-
sippi legislature has adjourned sine
die and nearly all the members left
last night for their homes in various
parts of the state.
The session goes down in historG
as the most remarkable that has been
held in many years, both in point of
extraordinary expenditure and amount
of special work performed. Three in
vestigating committees were at work
during the session, and while their
work has thus far brought forth no
practical results, it Will undoubtedly
result in more careful system in the
management of state affairs, particu-
larly in the various departments Of
the government investigated.
Over $50 bills were introduced in the
two houses and about sixtyfive per
cent of the number were enacted into
law. The most important measures
passed and signed by the Governor are
as follows:
Apportionment of the state into
eight Congressional districts.
Compulsory primary election law,
making all party nominations by pri-
mary and candidates to defray the ex-
penses thereof.
Bill creating a department of insur-
ance, providing for election Of insur-
ance commissioner in 1904, and taxing
insurance companies in proportion to
the amount of premiums collected.
Appropriation of 50, 500, 900 for the
public schools of the state for the
next biennial period. This is the
largest appropriation ever made in
Mississippi for this purpose.
Increased appropriations for all the
state educational institutions, and
providing for the erection Of new
buildings at the University, Missis-
sippi, a. & NJ. College, Alcorn A. &
NJ. College, Industrial Institute & Col
lege. These colleges get about $50, 900
more than was given at the last legis
lative session.
Appropriation of $3.50, 900 for ex-
Confederate pensions. This is double
the amount granted at the last session.
The bill providing for the establish
ment of home for -Coufederates
was lost in the house, as was also the
bill providing for the purchase Of
Beauvoir, the old home of jefferson
Davis.
Appropriation of S40O, 900 for the
support of the penitentiaary for the
biennial period, $4,000 as a contin-
gent fund for the institution, and
requiring that all moneys derived
from convict labor be paid immedi-
ately into the state treasury.
A bill prohibiting the sale of liqour
in towns in "wet" counties having
population of less than 500 without
day and night police protection. This
bill practically exterminates the liquor
traffic in three counties and limits in
number of Others. The statutory
prohibition bill was defeated.
A measure establishing an oyster
commission, fixing rules and regula-
lions for the government of the indus
try along the gulf coast, and creating
an oyster fund in the state treasury.
Resolution asking Congress to APP
propriate 81, OOO 900 for the deep water
harbor at Gulfport and the maintain
enance thereof also a resolution ask
ing Congress to take charge Of the
harbor at Pascagoula.
a bill providing that the official
bonds of all stae officers be made in
guarantee companies, the state to pay
the expense thereof.
A resolution providing for an in
vestigation of the affairs of the In
dustrlaI Institute q College, report to
be made within thirty days.
Fixed the state tax levy at six mills,
authorized an issue of one million
dollars in bonds,a portion of which is
to be used in refunding outstanding
Indebtedness, and amended several
sections of the privilege tax law.
Passed bill authorizing boards of
supervisors to channel streams and
reclaim overhowed lands.
Authorizedt he board of levee com
missioners for the Yazoo- Mississippi
delta to issue S12, 900 in bonds to re-
funu outstanding bonds, and provid-
ing a change in the manner of govern
ment for the board.
Requested the United States Fish
Commission to investigate the oyster
reefs along the Gulf coast.