davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
Prison system.

The proposed revision of the method
of governing the penltentiary finds its
first legislative manifestation In the
bill introduced by Mr.. Denton, of Lau.
derdale, which abolishes the prison
board of control and places the man
agemelt of the penitentiary in the
hands of an assistant, who is required
to give $4,000 bond, is appointed
by the governor for period of four
years, and is authorized to employ
such assistants as may be necessary to
conduct the affairs of the prison. The
superintendent is made responsible for
the finances of the prison. must make
payments direct to the State treas
ury, and is required to close his ac-
counts on the first of January each
year and make official report
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
TWENTY.SlxTH DAY,

By the narrow majority of two votes
the lower house of the legislature last
week passed the bill allowing boards
Of supervisors to make partial pay
ments on contracts for public build.
ings as the work progresses.
This measure was indefinitely post
poned in the house a few days since,
and the motion entered to reconsider
was called up by Mr.. Stelnis, of Lau-
derdale The debate was quite spirit
ed Messrs. Watts and Stennis, Of Lau.
derdale, and McGee and Kinds leading
the forces in favor of the bill. Their
chief contention was that the present
law practically prohibits small con-
tractors, who are not plentfully sup
piled with fulds, from bidding on pub
lie buildings. The vote by which the
bill was reconsdered was the closest
that has been taken since the legisla-
ture convened.
The house committee made favor
able report on the bill providing for
new codificaton of the laws of the
State.
In the senate the bill prohibiting
non-members from wearing the en-
blems of secret societies was passed
by practically una alimous vote. An
other interesting bill passed was to
prevent frauds in awards of contracts,
by boards of supervisors by providing
that such contracts must be examined
and passed upon by the circuit judges
Of the districts.
The uniform school book bill, which
was the special order in the senate,
was postponed until Thursday. The
house made the amendment for con.
stitutional prohibition special order
for next Tuesday morning, at which
time the first of three votes will be
taken.
There was the usual number of To-
cal bills introduced in both branches
of the legislature, hut no further ac-
ton of general interest transpired in
either the house or senate before ad-
tournament.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
IR0QU0lS WILL OPEN AGAIN
Contracts for Renting the Thcater
De ReOpcned to the Public.

Chicago, Feb. S.-A contract has
been let for reiittng and redecoratine
the Iroquois theater, in which 572
lives were lost on December 30 last,
Il has been uncertain whether the
Iroquois would open again as play
house, but the letting of the contract
for repairs indicates that the theater
will be reopened to the public as a
place of amusement.
The cost of repairs will be $22 900,
and the management hope to reopen
the house in the early spring. 1t is
said the name of the theater will be
changed to the Northwest,
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
TWENTY-FOURTH DAY.

The legislature was a dull attrac-
tion today. The senate adjourned un-
I'll Monday, and the house spent the
entire morling with local and private
legislation, It being custom to set
aside this day for bills of this nature.
The house galleries were deserted
during the session, and many mem
bers were absent from their seats,
having either left for their homes or
being confined in their boarding
houses with bad colds and la grippe,
resulting from the spell of severe
weather.
The Joint legislative committee of
twelty.four members appointed to re-
district the Circuit and Chancery
Court districts of the State, has thus
far made but little progress with the
undertaking, which is of rather stu
pendous nature.
One plan suggested to the commit
tee. which is attracting much atten-
tion, proposes the formation Of thir-
ten Circuit Court districts, an increase
OF two over the present number. This
plan has ole very commendable feal
ture, In that it does not place any two
circuit judges or district attorneys in
the same district. II is as follows:
First ict-Tishomingo, Alcorn,
Prentiss ltawamba, Lee, Monroe,
Chickasaw and Lowndes.
Second District-Pearl River, Han
cock Harrison, Jackson, Greene ald
Wayne.
Third District-Tippah, Union, Ben
ton, Marshall, Lafayette, Pamela, Tate
and DeSoto.
Fourth District-I.ehore, Sunhower,
Washington, Issaquena and Sharkey.
Fifth District-Pontotoc, Yalobusha,
Grenada, Calhoun, Carroll, Moltgom-
cry, Clay and Webster.
Sixth Wilkinson, Amite,
Franklin, Adams, Jefferson and Clai-
borne
Seventh District-Holmes, Madison,
Kinds and Yazoo.
Eighth Dstrict--Rankin, Scott,
Newton. Winston, Neshoba, Leake,
Attala and Choctaw,
Ninth Distrct-Warren.
Tenth Observation-Disclosures KEN
per. NoXubee and Oktibbeha.
Eleventh District-Tunica, Quitman,
Coahoma, Bolivar and Talahatchie
Twelfth Dlstrmict-Copiah, Lincoln,
Pike, Covingtol, Lawrence and Ma
rion
Thirteenth District-Simpson, JAS
per, Smith, Clark, Jones and Perry.
After the introduction of quite a
number of private and local bills the
house. without the transaction of any
other business, adjourned for the day
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

Since the Legislature convened near
ly 500 bills have been introduced in
the two houses. Aside from the dup
licate measures, and bills bearing a
similarity to each other, which are
either unfavorably reported or re-
turned In the form Of substitutes, it Is
fortunate for the people of Mississippi
that a very small percentage of the
pending measures will be enacted in
TO law The legislature has been in
session four weeks, only half dozen
measures have been signed by the
governor and not over a dozen will
be in readi less for his signature with
In the next ten days. The promptness
with which the working committees
have squelched the life out of a large
majority of the bills introduced Is a
highly gratifying indication that the
people of the State will not be op-
pressed with burden of useless new
laws when the legislature adjourns.
1t has been the history Of legisla.
lures and lawmakng bodies since the
beginning of time that some members
are imbued with the idea that they
must be continually introducing bills.
Their work Is Of the class that
amounts to nothing, and is worse than
useless for II becomes really PERM.
cious and develops the delnagogue of
the most dangerous type. 1t can be
safely asserted that so per cent of the
bills offered in the two bodies since
the legislature convened have no more
place on the statute books than they
would be entitled to In the Bible.
They cover almost every phase of wis
dom ald unwsdom. imbecility and
corporate fayortsm. and serve only
to illustrate the freaksh intellect or
cupidlty of their authors II is there
fore doubly fortunate at this time that
Mississippi has legislature which is
being conducted by men of sense and
business sagacity. Unquestionably
the personnel and standard Of the
body Is higher than it has been for
many years, and while some laws will
probably get on the statute books be-
fore the end of the session which
ought not to be there, the general
trend Of legislation promises to be
prudent and conservative.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
Park Work Stopped,

Capt. Rigby of the Vicksburg Ma
tional Park commission states that
owing to the lack of available money
under the emergency appropriation,
only the park commissioners, stenog-
rapher, and a couple of laborers, who
will be made to repair washouts and
other park road work, will be re-
tanned on salary between now and
July. The national park work will
otherwise be stopped.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
WAR MUNITIONS SEIZED.
They Were Landed at Puerto Plata,
SnntO Domingo, For the Use
of Gen. JimIncz.

Cape Haytien, Hayti, Feb. 7.-Muni-
tions of war intended for Cen Jiminez
the Dominican revolutionary leader,
were seized at Puerto Plata, on the
northern coast of the republic of San
tiago Domingo, after having been land
ed there by the steamer New York,
from New York, January 30,
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
Killed for One Dollar.

Because Sherman Fox would not
pay a debt of one collar he was shot
and killed, last week near Arkabutla,
in Tate county, by a companion
named Andrew Brown. The latter
had been empowered to collect the
debt, which it is claimed Fox owed
to negro woman, and Brown was
urging immediate payment, declar-
ing that if it was not settled by the
following day he would kill Fox.
The parties met the next morning,
and true to his word Brown shot Fox
down, death resulting instantly. He
is now in jail at Senatobia.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
Coming to the Front.

The Rankin farm, which has usu-
ally been a drag to the pcnitentiary,
and which at one time it was thought
advisable to sell, came to the front
this year with $4,000 to the good, be-
sides the men taken from that camp
earned SG,43S.99 grading the capi-
tol grounds. This is the best show
ing Rankin farm has ever made.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
Looks Like Murder.

The Scott county authorities are
wrestling with what appears to be a
murder mystery. A day or so since
while a party of sportsmen were out
hunting they found hat filled with
buckshot holes, a small mirror, a ra-
zor and handkerchief lying in the
woods, all covered with blood. A
diligent search was made, but no
body was discovered. and no further
clues have yet been developed. TIE
spot was in a dense, wild region
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
TWENTY.EIErh DAY

The committee on universities and
colleges has just completed its in
vestigation of the various institutions
The report will be read to the house
at an early date. The one of most in
terest is that relating to the university
and some of the testimony as to the
Greek letter societies is said to be of
a sensational character,
The judiciary committee of the
house has finally decided to report the
same code bill formerly reported
which provides for a commission to
report code to the next legislature
Constitutional Prohibition.
When the house met the constitu-
tion committee reported concurrent
resolution No. u, submitting an
amendment to the constitution pro-
hibiting the sale of liquor in the State
with the recommendation that 1t do
pass as amended, the amendment
changing the time of submission from
special election in August to the
general election in November
Mr. Browl, of Adams, moved that
the resolution be referred to the liquor
traffic committee to pass on the sub
ject matter.
Mr. Ross moved that the Brown
motion be tabled and the roll was
called on this motion, which resulted
in tabling by SO ayes to 80 nays, the
house refusing to send the amend.
ment to the liquor traffic association
A minority report from the consti.
tuition committee was presented to
the house an3 signed by Mr.. Watts
of Lauderdale, and T, E. Williams
in which they took the position that
the proposed amendment to the CON
stitudon was unnecessary, and for
that reason they could not concur in
the recommendation of the majority
Of the committee.
There were no bills introduced Of
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
Pardons Wanted,

Gov. Vardaman has been petit
toned to grant a pardon to Y. B.
Keene, convicted in the Circuit
Court of Yazoo county of larceny
and sentenced to the penitentiary
for three years. He claims to have
been under the influence of liquor
when the felony was committed.
The governor has also been petition
ed to grant a pardon to Will Lee,
convicted in Lincoln county of at
tempted murder.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13

Washington, Feb. S,-A dispatch re-
ceiyed from Baltimore at o'clock
a. m says the fire is still raging
fiercely. The postoffce building is
burning; also the $4,0O0,000 court
house The Holiday street theater
has been blown up with dynamite and
the United States express Offices and
central offices of the Baltimore &
Ohio railroad are burned
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13

Philadelphia, Jan. s.-In response to
an appeal from Baltimore for help,
Mayor Weaver Sunday evening sent
six fire companies and 15O policemen
to that city on special trains. The six
fire companies, each of which took
along a steamer and hose wagon,
were augmented by extra men from
other cOmDnieS
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13

New York, Feb. GA Russian officer
New York, Feb. IA Russian officer
who has lately returned from the far
east, Is quoted by the Moscow corrc-
spondent of the Times to the effect
that the Russian Pacific squadron pos
sesses at least two submarines.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
State Land Sales.

State Land Commissioner r. H.
Nall reports land gales for January
amounting to $11, ,407.l4, which is
far in excess of tie record for the
same month last year. OF the total
amount, $3.50 was for trespasses and
$152.50 for fees.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13

Hon. Wallace McLaurin, Demo
cratic national committeeman, ar
rived home last week from Wash
ington. '"Ihe sentiment in favor Of
the noMination Of W. R. Hearst for
president is growing steadily among
the Democrats of the North" said
Mr.. McLaurin, "and he is undoubt-
edly the leading candidate today. If
nominated ] believe he could be
elected, for he has a habit Of getting
things when he goes after them"
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
VIII Widen Narrow GAGE.

Contract will be awarded within
the next few days for the widening
of the narrow garge track of the
Gulf and Chicago division of the
Mobile, jackson & Kansas City road,
running from Pontotoc, this State,
to Middleton, Tenn, and commonly
known in that section as the Doodle
Bug Line" Several prominent con-
tractors have inspected the road
within the past week with the view
of submitting bids.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
May Have Plenty to Do.

Plenty of work is being mapped out
for the Mississippi Agricultural and
Mechanical College to perform during
the next few years. Following close
ly on the heels of the proposed estab-
lishment of State department of ag
riculture at that institution, whose
chief work shall be to suppress the
boil weevil, comes a bill introduced
In the senate by Mr.. Boyd providing
for a geological and agricultural sur
vey of the State, to be made under
supervision Of the director of the ex-
pertinent station, and to be completed
by February, 1908. The bill is ably
prepared, and sets forth at length the
manner in which the survey shall be
made and printed reports of the result
given to the public.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
Is IO2 and StiII Active.

Tayeite, Mo-, FEB. Mrs. Nancy
Mitchell, of Fayette, has Just celebT at
ed her one hundred and second birth
day anniversary. She lives with her
grandson, Marshall William Slaughter,
and is remarkably active for one of her
age,
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
Latest Estimates.
rcn burned, one square mile.

Baltimore, Md, Feb. S-The fire
which broke out few minutes before
II o'clock Sunday morning in the
wholesale dry goods house of John e.
Hurst & Co. has ragged with unre-
strained fury continuously, and is
steadily eating its consuming way east
ward on Baltimore street, after having
destroyed almost all of the large stores
and warehouses in the wholesale dis
trict around Hopkins place and all the
buildings on both sides of Baltimore
street from Howard to Holiday street,
from Charles and Baltimore to Charles
and Lexington, and on Fayette street
from Charles to Holiday, including a
total Of about twenty blocks of the
most modern and substantial buildings
in Baltimore, involving a loss which
cannot now be estimated, but which
has certainly already reached 100000
900 or $40 900, 900.
Dynamite Used to Check Fire.
After since about 6 o'clock, when
darkness came, the fire department, al
though aided by engines from Wash
ington, Philadelphia, Wilmington and
the surrounding suburbs, has been ut
terly powerless to make any effective
resistance to the consuming element,
though for hours as many as 400
streams of water were thrown into the
flames. Indeed, so terrific has been
the heat ever since the fire started,
and so dense and suffocatlng the vol
ume of flying sparks and burning Gin
ders, that it was difficult for the fire.
men to stand long within fighting dis
tance of the flames, while early in the
afternoon several trucks and engines
were hopelessly disabled by timbers.
At 7 o'clock the situation was so des-
perate that Chief Horton decided that
the only thing left to do was to dyna-
mite buildings at threatened points,
and thus prevent, as far as possible, a
further spread of the flames.
Fire Department Helpless.
In pursuance of this plan, number
of buildings on South Charles street
between German and Lombard were
blown up. Subsequently the splendid
structure of j. w. Butts & Co., notion
dealers at Charles and Fayette streets,
was dynamited, and then the Daily
Record building, Ross drug store and
others. But this heroic remedy merely
delayed, but did not seriously impede
the onward march of the conhagration,
and for two hours or more the fire de-
partment had stopped, practically
helpless and resourceless.
Union Trust Building burned.
Following the rapid destruction of
the palatial commercial buildings in
the wholesale district the cyclone of
roaring flames burst into Baltimore
street, licking within few minutes
the seven-story Mullins hotel like an
insatiate monster and rapidly rolling
with irresistible force both eastward
and westward, cutting down wholesale
and retail houses, manufactures,
shops, jewelry stores, furniture empo-
RUINS ard restaurants. At Charles
street the remorseless tide swept on
down Baltimore street, and also turned
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13

Chicago, Feb. 1.-Two unidentified
robbers shot and fatally wounded
George Becker, conductor on the
Western Avenue electric line. early
Saturday morning, when he resisted
their attempts to rob him at the Full
lerton avenue terminus.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
Fridge lakes Oath.

Arthur Fridge, Ct Ellisville, who
was appointed acknowledgement of
the Mississippi National Guard, took
the oath of office last week before
the clerk of the Supreme Court.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
Asphyxiated by Charcoal Fumes.

VIII Milcski, Bohemian oyster
man, was smother2d to death last
week at Biloxi from the effects of
charcoal gas. He built charcoal
fire in the hold of a schooner, and
went to sleep, leaving it burning.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
mn. and Arm Broken.

Mascoutah, ILL.,, Feb. FIRED
Schultz, 26 years old, was probably
fatally hurt by falling coal in the Kolb
coal mine here Friday, A doctor was
summoned and reduced the fracture Of
five ribs and an arm
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
More Closed Factories.

Chicago, Feb. 7.-Seven more car
riage and wagon factories have closed
because of the demands of the union
for increased wages and a closed shop,
There are now 101 factories closed,
and ,05S men idle
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
State Committee.

Chairman c. c. Miller Of the
Democratic State executive commit
tee has not yet taken up the matter
of calling a session of the committee
for the purpose of arranging for
State convention to name delegates
to the national convention.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
Henry w. oliver Critically Ill

Pittsburg, Pa, Feb. Henry w,
Oliver, the well-known iron and steel
master is critically i'll at his home in
Allegheny He is suffering from an
affection of The kidneys
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
Anti-Compact Law.

Insurance Commissioner Cole
appeared before the house com.
mittee on insurance last week
for the purpose Of discussing
the proposed law seeking to
amend the statute on trusts and
combines, known as the Noel antitrust
law, seeking to exempt insurance com.
panies from its operations, so as to en-
able them to maintain rate-making or,
ganizations in the State. The bone of
contention on this bill is the question
of whether 1t Is violative of the con.
stitutional provision against class leg.
islation. The insurance commissioner
contends that it is not, as the meas
ure does not seek to confer special
benefits, but applies to insurance or
ganizatiols as whole.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13

New York, Feb. S.-Fre Commits
sioner Hayes announced at 2 o'clock
Monday morning that force of five
engine companies was ready to start
for Baltimore at oIcc and were only
awaiting word from tho Pennsylvania
railroad that special train of fiat cars
was ready to start from Jersey City.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
Action Comes Slow.

1t is significant that very few of the
bills thus far passed are of much i'm
portance Barring the school appro-
priatiol, pension appropriation and
Jim Grow street car bills enacted by
the house, none of the measures thus
far passed in either body are wide
spread in their effect, or notable in
importance The senate bills estab.
fishing three new experiment stations
in various parts of the State are still
tied up in the house committee on
agriculture, and it is understood that
favorable reports are to be made upol
but two of the measures. However,
In spite of the lack of important leg.
isation, the two houses are doing q
good work in clearing the calendars
of minor matters. Local and private
legislation is much further advanced
than usual at this period of a session,
and the number of bills indefinitely
postponed is much larger thal hereto
fore.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13

general interest, and the house at
1890 adjourned for the day.
In the Senate.
The senate met at p. m. A sealed
message was received from the gov
ernor to be acted upon in executive
session.
A motion was entered by Senator
Franklin to reconsider the vote in
definitely postponing senate bill II,
cxempting 2-year-old cattle in the
hands OF the original owners,
The committee on local and private
legislation reported fayorably senate
bill to refund to owners OF live stock
IN Copiah couRty an amount equal to
the value of the stock destroyed on
account Of glanders.
Senate bill 10S, paying the adjutant
general the remainder of his salary
due him for 19O2.03, passed.
At 5 O'Clock the senate went into
executive session and later adjourned.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
State Depositories.

The much expected State depository
bill has been introduced in the lower
house of the legislature by Mr. Bul.
lard, and Is now in the hands of the
judiciary committee. The measure is
modelled somewhat after the sugges,
tiols made by ex-State Treasurer Thad
B. hampton, although not the identica'
bill prepared by that official before re-
firing from office. 1t creates finance
board composed of the governor, at
torney general a1d treasurer, and re-
quires these officials to send out a cir.
cular to all State banks having capi.
tai stock of 100000 or over, inviting
bids for deposits. The banks accepted
as repositories must give bonds Of
known solvency as collateral when
receiving State treasury funds, and
the treasurer keeps separate ac.
count with these institutions. Heavy
penalties are provided for the viola.
ton of any of the regulations adopted
governing deposits. 1t is also provid.
ed that the tax collectors of the coun.
ties make their settlements direct with
designated repositories.