The leader., 1902-03-19
NEW LEGISLATION.
Summary of the Principal Work
Done at the Special
Session.

sine die.
The session goes down in history 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 we're at work
during the session, and, while their
work has thus far brought forth no
practical results, it will undoubtedly
result in a more careful system in the
management of State affairs, particu-
larly in the various departments of the
government investigated.
Over 80 bills we're 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 in,
surance, providing for election of in.
surance commissioner in 1904 and
taxing insurance companies in pro
portion to the amount of premiums
collected.
Appropriation of s2,50o000 for the
public schools of the State for the next
biennial period. This is the largest
appropriation ever made in Mlssis
sippi for this purpose.
Increased appropriations for all the
State educational institutions, and pro
viding for the erection of new build
iugs at the University Mississippi, Ag
ricultural and Mechanical College
Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical
College. Industrial Institute and Col
lege. These colleges get about saO,OO
more than was given to the last legis
lative session.
Appropriation of 100000 for Exon
federate pensions. This is double the
amount granted at ..a last session
The bill providing for the establish
ment of a home for eX Confederates
was lost in the house, as was also the
bill providing for the purchase Of
d. l,o old nF 5af
Davis.
Appropriation of St00,ocG for the sup
port Of the penitentiary for the bien
NAL period, 100000 as contingen
| fund for the institution, and requiring
that all moneys derived from convic
labor be paid liam ediately into The
State treasury.
A bill prohibiting the sale ~ Liquor
| IN towns in wet" counties having {
population of less than 800 without
day and night police protection. This
bill practically eXterminates the liquor
traffic in three counties and limits i
in number OF others. The STATUTORY
prohibition bill VAS defeated.
A measure establishing an oyste1
commission, fixing rules and regula
| tions for the government of the in
dustry along the gulf coast, and ere
ating an oyster fund in the STATE
treasury.
Resolution asking congress to appro
pirate si,WO.OOO for the deep water
harbor at GulfpOrt and the mainten
ance thereof; also resolution asking
congress to take charge of the harbOr a
Pascagoula.
A bill providing that the otiicia
| bonds of the State officers be made il
guarantee companies, the State to pay
the expense thereof
A resolution providing for an in
vestigation of the affairs of the In
dustrial Institute and College, report
to be made within thirty days.
Fixed the State tax levy at six mills
authorized an issue Of 81 100000 il
bonds, portion of which is to be used
in refunding outstanding bonded in.
debtedness, and amended several sec
tions of the privilege tax law.
A bill passed authorizing boards OF
supervisors to channel streams and re
claim overlooked lands.
The levee commissioners for the
IaZOo- Mississippi delta were author
lied to issue Sl,2J0,O00 in bonds to re.
fund outstanding bonds, and providing
a change in the manner of government
for the board
Requested the United States fish
commission to investigate the oyster
reefs along the gulf coast.
Created the eleventh circuit court
district. composed of the counties of
Coahoma, Quitman, Tunica, DeSoto,
Ta!lahatchie and Yalobusha.
Authorized the Yazoo aud Missis-
,ippi Valley road to purchase the
branch of the Sou' bern railway from
Webb to Itta Bena: also authorized
the Mobile. Jackson and Kansas City
road to build its line in Mississippi.
Passed joint resolution allow
ing jud districts, counties and
towns to take stock in railroad enter
priseS.
Created the office of assistant at
tOrney general at IA salary Of 5000 per
year.
Provided for Mississippi exhibit at
the St Louis Purchase Exposition and
MADE an appropriation OF SD,OOO
therefor.
Appropriated 393,4ol to be ueel by
the napitol commission in building the
new State house, i'll addition to the
amount already Appropriated
Adopted a cousti utional amend
ment providing that constitutional
amendments shall be inserted ia The
CONSTITUTE III at the next succeeding
session of the legislature after b ing
voted upon. All constitutional amend
ments are to be voted upon by the
people next November.
Created State department of ar
chives aud history under the super
vision of the Mississippi Historical
Society.
Authorized the division of ITALIA
hatchie county into two circuit and
chancery court districts; also allowed
people of Harrison county to vote on
question of removing county seat from
Mississippi City to Gulfport, and Gov