davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

nize osteopathy as branch of medi-
cine. The pensions committee has
reported an equitable plan for the dis
tribution Of the pension fund.
The day In the house was devoted
TO appropriation bills. The general
measure for the support Of the depart
ments Of the State government was
the most important passed. several
minor changes being made in the
amounts recommended by the com
mittee on appropriations. The bill
carries total appropriation Of $592,-
9141S. The Mississippi Insane Hos
pita support bill, carrying $2Sl 900.
was also passed
Death Blow to cavett Bill.
At the afternoon session the lower
house gave a death blow to the Cavett
bill, which sought to deprive negroes
who were servants to Confederate sol
diers In the civil war from participat-
ing In the State pension distribution.
The clause was knocked out by
very decisive majority, as was also
the amendment offered by the com
mittee on pensions. which provided
that the negroes should receive only
one.half Of the sum allowed partici.
pants in the non-preferred class
Both propositions were decidedly I'M
popular, a large majority Of mem
bers believing that the negro should
receive full recognition for faithful
services during the civil war.
ateS a 5000 preferred class for the
soldiers who are totally disabled from
injuries or wounds sustained during
the war and a s75 class for those who
were partially injured.
The boards Of pension examiners,
composed of ex-Confederate soldiers in
each county are abolished and boards
Of supervisors, sheriffs. and chancery
clerks substituted in lieu thereof,
"Jm Grow" Bill Passed.
Without n dissenting vote the SEN
ate passed the Collier 'jim crow" bill,
which requires street railways to pro
vide separate accommodation for the
races, with two minor amendments,
which do not materially change the
bill. one allowing the companies nine
ty days in which to provide separate
accommodations and the other allow
ing movable screens to be used, to be
regulated according to the volume Of
traffic Of each race.
Senator Stone offered an amend
ment rendering It optional with city
councils to enforce the measure, but
afterward withdrew the same when
opposition developed on the ground
that some aldermanic bodies are like
ly TO be dominated by the street rail-
way corporations.
The negro question was fully aired
during the discussion and some strong
speeches We're made.
The bill was passed exempting from
taxation property in Tunica, Coahoma
and DeSoto counties between the levee
and the Mississippi river.
The McLaurin bill creating forty-five
district judges at salary OF $75 a
month each was left pending when the
senate adjourned. The bill will be de-
feated.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
FERRY STEAMER BURNED.
Second Time Burned 10 the Wa
tcrs Edge Nenr Norfolk, Vn.

Norfolk, Va, Feb. 29-The steel
ferry steamer Norfok-on-theR RoaIs,
owned by the Norfolk & Atlantic Ter
minal Co. burned to the waters edge
at her moorings at Sewalrs Point
early Sunday morning. Fire was dis
covered shortly after midnight and
could not be checked by the steamer
Piney Beach of the same road, which
played one stream on the burning
craft, The Norfolk Roads ran
between Sewal's Point and Newport
News She recently returned from
Baltimore, where she had been re-
built having previously burned at the
same moorings. The loss can not be
estimated at present
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05

AS the legislature enters upon the
eighth week of its existence little
has been accomplished Only one bill
OF general nature has passed both
houses, that being the general school
appropriation bill, which carries with
1t an appropriation of 81 100000.
There has been no dearth of bills in
troduced In either branch OF the legis-
lature. In the house there have been
450 bills introduced, and in the senate
295. The Indications are that before
the time for adjournment has rolled
around there will have been intro.
duced In both branches over 1000
bills. A number of appropriation bills
have passed either one branch or the
other, but no money can be secured on
them until they have passed both
branches and are signed by the gov
ernor.
All the schools. colleges, benevolent
institutions, State officers; penitentiary
employees and clerks of the different
departments have been without cent
OF money for two months. They have
not drawn any money since their De-
cember salaries. The new governor
has not been able to draw cent. The
general appropriation bill which car
ries with It their salaries has been in
troduced, and it is supposed 1t will
come up in the house some time soon.
1t will then have to go to the senate
for passage, and it will be some time
in March before the State officers,
their clerks, the Supreme Court
judges, chancellors and district attor-
neys can get any money. The peniten-
tiary is also suffering for some money,
as 1t Is running entirely on credit
now, The house has passed special
appropriation bill for two months ex.
penses until the general bill, providing
for the two years, can be passed, but
as yet It has not been taken up by the
senate.
With the present amount of work in
sight 1t Is hard to see how the legisla
ture can get away from Jackson under
four or FIVE weeks longer There are
many bills which are coming up which
will provoke argument, and there Will
be no end OF debate, which will con-
sumo good deal Of time. In the
meantime the committees Of both
houses are killing great many bills.
Out of the thousand odd bills, which
will be introduced during the session,
1t is doubtful if exceeding l75 will be
enacted into law.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
FINISHED THE FLEET.
JAPANESE SHIPS DO DEADLY
WORK AT PORT ARTHUR
And THEN SAILED AWAY UNTOUCHED
One Russian Cruiser Sunk, Another
Completely Disabled, Torpedo
Boat Annihlated and the Poor Old
Retvizan Plugged From Stem to
Stern-Port Arthur in a Bad Way.

Yin Kow, Feb, pa report was
received here late this afternoon Of
another sweeping japanese victory at
Port Arthur this morning, in which
the Russians lost the cruisers Novik
and Askold, while the disabled bat
| tleship Retvizan was still further dam.
aged. The report cannot be confirmed
anywhere, but is very circumstantial
and is generally credited.
1t is stated that the Japanese squad.
ron appeared off Port Arthur harbor
al 10 o'clock this morning There
were fifteen warships in the fleet, com
prising the vessels carrying the heav.
lest metal.
They steamed slowly. in single fils
formation toward the entrance to the
harbor, and, coming within four and
one half miles of the entrance of the
harbor, the leading vessel opened fire
with her largest guns.
The other ships of the squadron rap
idly got their guns into action, and the
fleet, steaming slowly ahead and de-
scribing perfect circle, fired shot
after shot at the forts commanding
the harbor mouth, and the battleship
Retvlzan and her consorts, which were
in the outer harbor
At the Jsp's Mercy.
Soon after the Japanese fleet began
firing, four Russian destroyers made
their appearance at the mouth of the
harbor, apparently awaiting an oppor-
tunity to try torpedo at the Japan
ESQ squadron The latter, however,
concentrated hot fire on the destroy
ers. and they were compelled to put
back into the harbor. 1t is reported
that some of them were hit. but moth
ing is known of the amount of damage
done.
The Retvizan presented fair tar
get for the guns OF the Japanese
squadron, lying as she is at the side
Oh the harbor entrance utterly unable
to move, and many shells were fired
in her direction.
In order to divert the fire and also
to be in a position better to use their
guns, the cruisers Novik. Askold and
Bayen put out to the mouth Of the
harbor and began to reply to tho en-
emy. The Japanese, putting in as
close as possible without coming di-
rectly under the range of the guns OF
the forts, shelled the Russian squad
ron. While many Of the shots went
Wild goodly percentage reached the
mark, and soon the Askold was forced
to retire into the inner harbor in a
sinking condition.
Torpedo's Deadly Work.
Suddenly the leading Japanese
cruiser launched n torpedo unobserv-
ed, and it sped straigh to the Novik,
exploding directly under her main
deck. She was so badly damaged that
she Is reported to have sunk before
she reached the inner harbor
1t Is not known how many of her
crew were lost
The Bayan, left alone to defend the
harbor. soon gave up the unequal task
and returned into the harbOr,
The Japanese concentrated their
fire on the Retvizan and that ship was
badly damaged before the fleet with.
drew At the expiration OF two hours.
the Japanese fleet having performed
their task, withdrew in perfect order.
There were no casualties among the
japanese.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
PROTECT RUSSIAN CONSUL.
Cars Representative at Fusan to Be
Guarded by Japan and Speeded
Honse

Toxic, Feb. 29.--The Korean court
has donated 100000 to the Red Cross
hospitals The ministers of the Unit.
ed States and Great Britain at Seoul
are favorably inclined to the Japan.
ese Korean protocol
The Toxic government has instruct.
ed the local authorities to extend spe-
cial protection and facilities to the
Russian consul at Fusan, Korea, who
is to reach Moi, Japan, tonight and
proceeds thence to Russia.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
Director RowIard's Allowance.

The bill passed by The senate last
week for the support of the depart
mei1t op archives and history carries an
appropriation of $4,000 per annum,
thhd' only one dissenting vote was
cast against 1t. Director Rowland Is
being warmly congratulated by the
Legislators on the splendid work he has
accomplished since this department
was established, and during the next
two years, with more funds 10 carry
on ths-waik, some notable accomplish.
ments are expected,
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
Pike County Elnht.

A delegation of McComb City citi-
zens, nearly 200. strong, appeared be-
fore the house committee on local and
private legislation last week to urge
the passage of the bill creating a sec
ond judicial district of Pike county,
with McComb City as the county seat.
A large delegation of Lumberton cltl-
zens appeared before the same COM
mittee in the senate asking to have
their town annexed to the new county
of Lamar
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
COMMENT AND CRITICISM.
Some Opinions on Legislation Past,
Present and Prospective.

Tho Governors commendabIe Step.
Gov. Vardaman has taken a very
commendable precaution against any
possibility Of juggling with legislative
acts after their passage by refusing
to afflx his signature to any enrolled
bills that have been interlined. This
announcement has been made to
the enrolling clerks OF the two houses,
and created quite furry around the
statehouse. as interineations hereto
fore have been taken for granted and
easily excused on account of the haste
in preparing the large volume OF this
class of work The State has had two
or three experiences. however, with
bills which had been tampered with
after their passage. and Gov. Varda-
man Is bearing these experiences in
mind to prevent a repetition during his
administration. After a conference
last week with the enrolling clerks
Gov Vardaman gave permission for
the insertion Of omitted words with
red ink. notation to be made on tho
margin explaining that the interlinea-
ton is a clerical error, and this notA-
tion must be signed by the enrolling
clerk. In this way all corrected errors
have the stamp Of approval before the
bills come to the governor.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
Mississippi State News
ital can be induced to undertake
their exploitation.

ital can be induced to undertake
their exploitation.
Letters have been received asking
the geologist TO make a personal ex-
animation of certain mineral depos-
ifs. For lack of funds, many Of
these requests had to be denied. In
certain instances, the expenses were
borne by the parties interested and
the examination made. In one in
stance of this kind, the geologist
found that certain parties had been
encouraged by commercial assayers
to ;acnd $500 in useless prospecting
feJ' valuable ores. So encouraging
were the reports Of the assayers, that
much more money would have been
expended if DR.. Logan, the geolo-
gist, had not investigated the de-
posit at that time.
Phosphate mari has been found
in several portions of Oktibbeha
county. The different substances
of the mari layer contained, accord
ing 10 a rough estimate by DR.. Lo-
gan, the following amounts of phos-
phoric acid:
No. /. Mari containing green sand
IS to ! per cent,
No. 2. Cast of fossil (Plecypod)-
5 to per cent.
No. 3. Cast of fossil (Gastropod)-
7 to s per cent
No. 4. Crinoidal lmestone-'6 to Z
per cent.
No. 5. Nodule (coprolite)-9 to 10
per cent.
No. 6. Concretion (white)-1 to 2
per cent.
According to the analyses made
by DR.. W. L. Hand, State chemist,
the following results were obtained.
The results proved that DR.. I.ogan's
first estimate of the amount of phos-
phoric acid in the mari was entirely
too low:
No. ]. Fossil casts-20.60 per cent
Of phosphoric acid
No. 2. Crinoidal limestone-2.28 per
cent of phosphoric acid.
No. 8. Nodules (doprolites)- 80
per cent Of phosphoric acid.
No. 4. Chalk fharl-2.71 per cent of
phosphoric acid.
In many localities the amount Of
nodules and fossil casts is sufficient
to bring the average per cent of the
phosphoric acid for the whole mari
up to 4 per cent or more. Half of
this is SO per cent more than that
in the New Jersey third grade mari,
and equal to the second grade in
per cent of phosphoric acid.
Mississippi can have geological
survey if she wants it, and the
United States government is willing
to cooperate in the work to the .ex-
tent of spending $4,000 year, pro-
vided the State will expend a like
amount. This is an opportunity
that the State cannot afford to let
pass by, A.sd it is hoped that the
present legislature will take the
proper steps to continue the work
that has been inaugurated by the
Agricultural and Mechanical Col
lege. Such a survey would be worth
thousands of dollars to the State,
and would be the l.sult of stimulat-
ing many industrial enterprises to
locate within our borders.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
SEVEN PERSONS INJURED.
Passengers and Work Train
Special Collide Near Tipton, Ind.

Upton, Ind, Feb pa collision
on the northern division of the In
diana Union Traction Co., near this
city, Sunday night between work
train special" carrying 2S laborers
and limited interurban car, com.
fortably filled with passengers, re-
suited in serious injuries to seven,
several of whom may die.
The cause of the wreck is attributed
to the faulty headlight on the work
train, which was being remedied when
the limited crashed into the forward
end. Both cars were completely de-
mOlishel
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
Ieleohone Bill.

A stiff fight is being made by the
telephone companies against the Sam
pie bill pending before the house com
mittee on corporations, compelling
long distance telephone companies to
mako connections with local ex.
changes The question Of constitu-
tionality has been raised and the bill
has been referred to a subcommittee
of three members for investigation of
Its legal phase.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
Signing Bills.

Gov. Vardaman is keeping well up
with the bills passed by the two
houses, and only a few enrolled meas
ures are on his desk awaiting examina-
ton. Last week the governor signed
the bills changing the office hours of
the secretary of State, auditor and at
torney general, so as to exclude the
noon dinner hour, the bill creating the
new county of Lamar and several 10.
cal and private measures.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
Municipal Improvement.

During the present session Of the
legislature municipalities have asked
for authority to make bond issues ag-
gregating over $l,000,0OO, in every in
stance the issue being for the pur-
pose of making municipal improve
ments, chiefly waterworks, sewerage
and electric light plants. Jackson
leads the list of Mississippi cities in
this respect, having obtained author
ity to make an issue of $3.50 900 for
waterworks purposes.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
Opposed to Amendments

Among many members Of both
branches Of the legislature there has
been strong opposition manifested
ever since the beginning of the ses-
sion against any tinkering with the
constitution, and while several pro
posed amendments have been offered
none of them have thus far reached
the point of securing the required two
thirds vote.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
VIII Be Ready This Week.

State Superintendent Of Educa-
ton Whitfield expects to begin the
common school distribution some
time this week. The January dis
stribution is the heaviest that is
made, and nearly $1,OOO,0OO will
20 out to the schools of the State.
Several bills have been introduced
to relieve the strain on the treasury,
so as to provide for the common
school distribution to be made
quarterly. 1t is probable that one
Of these bills viii become q law.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
New Brick Plant.

Messrs. Isham Evans, Frank VOL
fenden and others of West Point
have incorporated new industry
under the title of the West Point
Brick and Manufacturing Company,
with a large capital and an abun-
dance of extra good material to
work on. This company will install
the very latest machinery and man
ufacture the very best grades Of
building brick, tile and other clay
products. The plant will give en-
plOy1nent to many laboreru.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
Didn't Know It Was Loaded.

Hardly week passes that a
didn't know it was loaded" acci-
dent happens in some part Of Mis-
sissippi, and the result is invariably
fatal. The latest affair of this kind
reported is from the Yucatan plan
tation. on the Big Black river, near
Port Gibson, where a negro named
Williams accidentally shot little
boy named Jackson with 45-caliber
pistol, the ball shatterlng the child's
thigh and rendering amputation
necessary, from the effects of which
he has since died.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
Levee Bond Sale.

Greenville, Miss, Feb. 29.--The
board of Mississippi levee commission.
ers of this district met at their Of
fee today to order the issuance and
sale of the million.dollar bonds for the
completion of levee building in this
district. The secretary was ordered
by the board to advertise for the sale
of the bonds, the bids to be opened
at the next meeting of the board,
April 18. The time set for the deliver
ance of the bonds was as follows
$250,OO0 May !. July ], September l
and December 81. There was other
business transacted, but this WIS Ill
of Importance in which the public was
interested
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
Japanese Report outrages.

Nagaski, Feb 29.-Six hundred and
fifty Japanese refugees from Man
churia arrived here today on the
steamer Kwang Ping They state that
they were badly matreated by the
Russian soldiers, who plllaFed their
homes and drove them out destitute
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05

Der Of committee reports were made.
The measure changing the manage.
ment OF the Vicksburg Charity Hospi-
tai. which Institution has been bone
Of contention, passed as amended.
Several spirited speeches were made.
The hospital in the future will be
under a more strict surveillance.
The house accepted the senate
amendments to the Wells vagrancy
bill, and defeated the Robbins meas
ure TO exempt money loaned at less
than per cent. A similar bill was
defeated in the senate, which moans
that there will be no exemptions for
loans at this session.
few appropriation measures were
considered by the senate, and the
Marlborough bill 10 admit women to
practice law was left pending at the
adjournment
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
SHOT WHILE HUNTING.
William Sleeves Killed by the Accl'
dental DISCHARGE Of a Gun.

Cairo ILL.,, Feb. 29.-William Shelves
of New Madrid died at st Mary's In.
irmary in this city today from in
iurles received by the accidental dis.
charge of a gun while out hunting
last Friday afternoon. The deceased
was superintendent of the plant of the
Southern Land and Lumber Company
near New Madrid He was 32 years
Of age and leaves wife and three
children. The remains will be taken
to ST. Geneteve, Mo, for burial,
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
VIII Let Free Delivery.

An eloquent testimonial to the
growth of the leading towns of Mis-
sissippi is the number that have been
given free mail delivery within the
past few years. Only few months
ago Hattiesburg and Yazoo City
we're accorded free delivery systems,
having passed the $4,000 mark re-
quired by the postal department,
and other towns are making an ef-
fort TO reach that amount in order
to secure the same privilege.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
Prison Reform atory.

The effort to establish prison re-
formatory for youths seems to have
very little prospects of passage at
this session of the Legislature. There
are now eighteen boys in the peni-
tentiary under 10 years old. The
crimes for which they were sent up
are as follows: Burglary, 5; bur-
glary and larceny, 2; attempt at
burglary, / grand larceny, 4; man
slaughter, / murder, 1; attempt at
poisoning, /; arson, /; attempted
criminal assault, / sodomy, /.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
Capt, II. A. Hurt.

Yates Center, Kas., Feb 29.--Capt.
r. A. Hurt is dead here, aged 50 years,
Capt, Hurt was one of the early Kan
sas settlers emlgratlng from Illinois.
He was personally acquainted with
President Abraham Lincoln
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
THlRTY.FlFTH DAY.

BY an overwhelming majority the
house this afternoon passed the Frank
lin uniform school book bill, adopted
by the senate several days ago. and the
measure now goes back to the latter
body for concurrence In the house
amendments,
A number of very important changes
were made in the bill The governor
and attorney general were deprived OF
membership on the textbook commits
sion, which shall be composed of eight
educators of known ability to be Sc
lected by the governor. with the SUI
perintendent of education as an ex'
offlcio member,
The clause requiring that the his
tory to be taught In the schools shall
be written from Confederate stand
point was stricken out.
Writing was added to the common
school curriculum, and, after q very
heroic fight, Mr. Nixon Of Pike, sue
ceeded in securing the adoption of an
amendment providing that the ele-
ments Of agriculture shall also be
taught in the schools, The amend
ment was carried after veryy elo-
quent speech by the member from
Plke,and in the face of practically
unanimous opposition at the start.
Natural philosophy was eliminated
from the curriculum, The house In
creased the compensation Of commits
sioners from 81 to S. per day and then
adopted the bill. The senate will un-
doubtedly concur in the amendments.
In the senate nothing of general
interest happened during the day.
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
The Depot viii Stay.

The Mississippi railroad commits
sion has reached a decision in the
Pontotoc depot matter, and the Mo
bile, Jackson & Kansas City road is
ordered TO allow the depot to remain
at its present site instead of being
removed three-quarters Of a mile
from, town
Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-05
New Billie Diminishing.

There has been a perceptible falling
off in the number of bills introduced
within the past few days. and but few
of the measures offered In the future
will have any chance of passage, as
every possible effort will be made to
get through and adjourn as soon as
possible.