Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-03-19

both bodies have followed drifting
policy which Is the chief cause Of he
small amount Of work accomplished
II the two houses had been under Wig
orous and energetic leadership II
would have greatly enabled the pre-
siding officers to transact business
quickly and adjournment could have
been reached during the week just
passed.
Up to date nearly 1000 bills have
been introduced in the two bodies. The
calendars show that so per cent of the
number are local and private meas
ures, Of which 250 have already been
passed, and many others are pending
Bills are being introduced at the rate
Of fifteen or twenty day, and meas
tires placed on the calendar from now
on will have but little prospect OF
passage. A brief review Of the gener-
al legislation shows the following i'm.
portant measures enacted:
Common school appropriation, 81
SOC, 900, an Increase OF 100000.
Pension appropriation increased
800 900 per year.
Jim Grow" bill, providing for sepa-
rate street car accommodation for TIE
races.
Stringent yagrancy bill enacted.
Amendment for constitutional pro.
hlbition defeated.
Resolution instructing United States
senators to vote for Panama treaty
William II. Hearst indorsed, Grover
Cleveland turned down and resolution
criticising Bryan repudiated
Constitutional amendments provld.
Ing for an elective judiciary system
passed by botn sides, though at va.
rance In terms
Uniform text book bill passed and
now pending In conference commit.
tee to agree upon amendments, with
no prospect of success.
Several school laws revised, sallr
ies Of county superintendent regu-
lated. improvement OF rural school
louses encouraged. punishment provid.
ed for selling of examination 1ues'
tions better method of extending
rural school terms provided.
Privilege tax bill passed, making
numerous increases.
Circuit and chancery court districts
redistricted by joint committees and
the measure reported back to both
bodies for adoption. No new districts
created.
Bill to make separate court districts
in Pike and to abolish Second dis
trict in Coahoma pending. with no
prospects of passage.
Primary election law revised and
amended so as TO eliminate plurality
and electoral features and regulate as
sessments on State candidates
Insurance laws amended PROPOSE.
ton to exempt insurance companies
from the antitrust law repudiated.
Personal property exempted from val.
ued policy law.
Foreign corporations securing do
nestle charters authorized to form
mergers.
Bill requiring all foreign corpora
tions doing business in the State to
take out domestic charters defeated.
Two branch agricultural experiment
stations authorized, making total OF
four in the State.
Two levee boards authorized to Is.
sue bonds for improvement purposes
aggregating $1.500,000 Office of cot.
ton tax collector Of Mississippi levee
board abolished.
Appropriation of $4,000 made for
the suppression of the boil weevil.
Municipalities authorized to issue
bonds aggregating about $l,5O0,OO0.
Labor Day made legal holiday. Sim
liar action will be taken regarding
the birthday of Jefferson Davis.
Circuit court civil cases made tri-
able when personal notice served thir'
ty days in advance Of term.
Increase in number of notarles pub
lie authorized
Permanent capitol commission Gre
ated.