The Tupelo journal., 1904-02-26
THiRTY-FiRST DAY,

for new codification of the laws of
the State, and after considerable
wrangling authorized the speaker to
appoint a special committee to go to
the gulf coast and investigate the oys-
ter bill, which promises to provoke a
spirited factional fight.
The senate spent the entire morn
ing considering the bill appropriati1g e
$1,250,0 900 for the common schools of
the State. A strong disposition was
shown among many members to cut
down the allowance
H. B. ITO appropriate money for
the support of the common school
fund, set as the special order for 10
O'Clock, was called up.
The bill appropriates $1,250,OO for
that purpose, together with the poll
tax
Senator Farley moved to amend by
substituting $1,000,000. He claimed
that the larger amount was not nee
essary because of the balances now
on hand from former appropriations,
and remaining in the county treasu.
ries to the credit of the school fund.
In some of the counties he said these
balances were sufficient to run the
schools without any appropriations as
long as they have heretofore.
Senator Boyd opposed the amend
ment. He was not willing to begin
economizing at the expense of that
class in whose hands the future of this
State would be placed.
Senator Parks was opposed to the
amendment. He didn't believe it was
economy to economic at the expense
of the educational interests of the
State The common schools needed
to be improved They were the reli-
ance OF the country boys and girls
for their education, and the terms
should be heightened so as to give
them better advantages in that line.
Senator Greaves was in favor of the
amendment. He said the amendment
already passed by this body allowing
the poll ltax to be retained in the
counties added 100000 to the school
fund already, and the bill as it now
stood would really be to appropriate
$1,550,000 instead Of $1,250,00O. This
amendment would not reduce the
amount below that appropriated last
year. but would really increase it $50
900.
Senator HigntoWoz thought the title
of the bill SHOULD be changed so as to
read. "a bill. to create the necessity for
issuing bonds and to educate the ne
gro.' He slid the children would de-
rive no benefit from the passage of
this bill. 1t would go to pay in
creased salaries to teachers and other
increasing expenses. Every dollar
spent by the State went half to the
negro, and they would get the benefit
of this increased appropriation.
Senator Henry said some of the sen
ators were scared of a bond issue
when the necessity did not exist. But
if it was necessary to issue bonds to
educate the barefoot boy and calico
girl, then he said, issue.
Senator Franklin (31sD was in ia
vor of the bill. He was not afraid to
go on record as voting for it, neither
did he believe it would call for a bond
issue.
The amendment cutting down the
school fund appropriation was voted
down and the original bill appropriate
ing $1,250000 per annum, passed by
vote of % to Z.
The finance committee made an un-
favorable report on the bill appropri-
ating 100000 to erect monuments at
the National Park at Vicksburg.
The bill prohibiting the shipment
of liquors from wet" counties to
dry" counties was unfavorably re-
ported.
In the house, owing to the absence
of the author, Mr. Robbins, H. B. 4S,
which was the special order of the
day, was laid aside and made the spe-
cial order of next Tuesday. This bill
provides for the exemption of money
loaned and vendors liens for purchase
money of real estate, where the inter
est does not exceed per cent.
Mr.. Millsaps called up H. b. 54, pro-
viding for new codifcation of the
laws of the State. The committee
amendments, four in number, were
adopted.
and passed.
This bill authorizes the governor to
appoint three code commissioners
learn in the law"
Mr.. Greaves offered, by request, a
resolution directing the speaker to ap-
point committee of seven members
to go to the gulf coast and make an
of the oyster industry.
Mr.. Barber, of Harrison, stated that
in view Of pending legislation on the
subject of the oyster industry it is i'm
portant that the house should have
full information.
The resolution was then adopted by
a vote of 38 to 10.
A minority report from the commit
tee on universities and colleges re-
garding H. B. 377, abolishing Greek
letter fraternities at the universities,
was submitted, recommending that
the fraternities in this and other insti-
tutions, supported by the State, should
be abolished.
THIRTY-SECOND DAY.
The announcement of Senator Walk