The leader., 1904-03-23
THE tECIsLATURE IS DONE.
jackson Eyening News, March d. j.

- 4lG SOS0lOn VA AOVE INV NlO6kQ
has been q remarkable one in
some respects. The appropria-
lions have been very large, the
budget for the two years, amount
ing to nearly six million dollars.
Though generous in their appro-
priations, the legislature showed
no inclination to increase the tax
es or to Issue bonds, and TO meet
the liberal sums allowed the law
makers have authorized the issu-
ance of only $500, 900 worth of
bonds, to be supplemented by the
governor floating loan of $780,
600, if necessary, leaving the tax
levy at six mills.
The legislature met on the 9Th
of January, and they have been in
session two months and a half.
The senate has held fifty-six SEES
sions and the house fty-eight.
About a thousand bills were intro
duced during the session and
about two hundred and fifty pass
ed, including general and relief
bills.
If good legislation is to prevent
Legislation this has been pre-emi+
nently one of the greatest sessions
ever held in Mississippi, for the
lawmakers have killed a large
number of measures, some of
which attracted wide attention.
The constitutional amendment
prohibiting the sale of liquors in
the state was one of the first bills
of Importance to fail to pass; the
amendment to the constitution
providing for an elective judiciary
was killed, the bill providing for
state repositories recommended by
former Treasurer hampton and
Treasurer Miller never came out
of the committee room; the rem
edial, legislation expected allowing
the Southeastern Tariff Associa-
ton to operate in the state was
not secured, the bill making an
appropriation for attorneys fees
in the Mississippi Louisiana bound
airy suit was killed in the senate,
the oyster legislation sought was
not secured, nothing was done in
regard to geological survey of
the state or the establishment Of
a department of agriculture, or
the measure making the selling of
liquor penitentiary offence.
The senate and house this SEES
sion have been wide apart on sew
eraI important measures, and
many conference committees were
necessary in order that the two
bodies might get together and
effect compromise.
Thele are several measures
passed by both the house and the
senate chat have not yet received
the signature of the governor.
Among them is the bill for the
relief of the ex-sherif of Kempere
county, j. w. Cutrer whose ac-
counts were found short by the
state revenue agent the remedial
insurance bill taking the valued
policy law off of personal proper
ty, and the measure providing for
the redistricting of the circuit
court districts of the state. This
bill will be signed by Governor
Vardaman Tuesday, as there were
a number of courts that meet on
Monday and. as the law does not
recognize a part Of a day, and this
measure goes into effect immedi-
ately upon its passage, its approx
al on Monday night makes illegal
the courts that convened on Mon
day.
Most of the members are show
ing a great deal of sentiment in
regard to the old desks that have
been used for many years in the
old capitol and used this session in
the new, and practically every
member has purchased his desk to
keep as a remembrance of the
past. The old desks sold at SO
each.