The Tupelo journal., 1906-01-26
Mississippi Legislature
HOUSE

Before taking action on the passage Of
the amnesty bill there was a most en-
thusiastic struggle in debate, and 1t can
be said that nothing less than the pro-
lection granted parties insured, and who
have suffered fire losses, was responsible
for favorable action. The measure is
one presented in every session of the
Legislature, and grants principally in its
provision the right of any person who
has neglected to pay privilege tax at
the proper time to be enabled to pay
same for 200 per cent. damages, if neces-
sary, in order to not inyalidate con-
tracts made when the arrearages were
due. Mr.. Boddie offered the first oppose
ton in an amendment which precluded
from the provisions of the bill any liti-
CATION which might be already pending
on the passage OF the law. This amend
ment was bitterly opposed, and finally
defeated. He thought that if the proper
attention were given taxes by the people
of the State, there would be no need of
any amnesty act that would allow them
to go back and make payments in order
to validate contracts. MIR. Errington OPP
posed both amendment and the original
bill. mo honest man lodges his taxes"
said Mr.. Errington, AND the tax dodger
is unworthy tins protection" Mr.. Ward
spoke at length on the subject, stating
that the passage of the bill meant that
the State might receive some revenue
that otherwise it could never obtain.
Judge Coleman opposed the whole, giving
as his reason that the only person who
would appreciate the privilege of paying
back taxes was the mar who wanted to
validate a contract, and a fellow in
this trouble got into it himself, and let
him get OUT After much debate the
bill passed.
Under reports of committees, the agri-
cultural committee reported that the bill
for the drainage of swamp and over
flowed land do pass.
The committee on pensions reported
favorably on the measure for the emu
meration of the Confederate soldiers of
the State. and also with favor on the
resolution authorizing the Legislature to
memorabilia Congress to apprproiate the
sum of $500, 900 for a monument to the
heroism of the American soldier at
Vieksburg.
Mr.. Coleman introduced a bill to re-
move the Governor and Attorney Cen
! eral from the Board of Control and have
the board composed of but the three
Railroad Commissioners. Tie Board of
Control has in hand the penal institu-
tions of the State, and in relieving the
Governor and Attorney General of their
places on the board, as provided for in
the Coleman bill, the only object was
to take some of the burden from their
shoulders.
Bills introduced were as follows:
By Mr.. Ratcliff-An act appropriate
ing money to pay the balance due on the
furnishings of the State capitol building.
BY Mr.. Ratcliff-An act providing for
the leasing of the old State capitol build
ing and grounds to the Mississippi In
dustrial Company for use in promoting
the State fair.
By Mr.. Ellis-An act amending the
law as to the enrolling of DEGREES.
By Mr.. Ellis-An act raising revenue
through the listing of solvent credits for
taxation.
By Mr.. Bates-Providing for special
venire facias in capital cases.
BY Mr.. Evans-An act providing for
a minimum punishment for the otfense
of gaming, making it punishable by fine
in the sums of $40 to 500.
By Mr.. Smith-An act to restrict the
issuance of licenses for saloon purposes
to towns of 1000 population or over and
then only to such persons as had been
residents and taxpayers for one year.
By Mr.. Coleman-An act regulating
municipal assessments and valuations.
By Mr.. Coleman-An act repeating the
act which created the office of assistant
Attorney general.
By MI. Powell-An act stating the
liability of in%nkeepers.
By Mr.. Bullard-An act a~pproprlatlng
the sun of $25,500 to pay the Bank OF
Biloxi funds borrowed by the oyster
commission during the past year.
Gov. Vardaman submitted a message
authorizing the House to take up the
matter of either the moving of the
courthouse of Jasper county to a more
central location, or else divide the cir
cult and chancery district.
The committee IN appropriations fav-
ored the bill appropriating the proper
sum for the maintenance OF the Mis-
sissippi national guards, and its favor
able report was read.
Mr.. Carothers, of Lee, had House bill
No. II, on swamp and overlooked lands,
called up and was presenting his rea-
sons for introducing it when a point OF
order closed the subject and recommit-
| ted the bill to the committee, to await
the routine of the Code to again bring
the mater before the House.
An appropriation measure to pay the
! water bills of the public institutions,
was brought up, and, without a dissent
ing vote, passed.
The first test vote on the Smith reso~
luton, providing for an amendment to
the Constitution, which will make the
offices of the judges of the Supreme
| Court elective instead of appointive, has
been made, and the resolution has been
| favored in the House. The vote was SO
in favor of the resolution to 25 as OPP
posed.
Bills were introduced as follows:
By MI. Sturdivant-An act demand.
ing that telegraph and telephone COM
panies make reasonably immediate de-
livery of messages, and fixing a penalty
of S25 for failure, in addition to such
damage as might be occasioned by negli-
gence. 4
by MT. BurTIS-An dct 70 pIoIecI IHe
horticultural and fruit growing interests
of the State by providing penalties for
the sale or distribution of infected
plants or shrubs, and to exclude crop
pests"
By Mr.. Bullard-An act taking the
place, of a former bill submitted on the
oyster situation, and providing that oys-
tiers shall not be taken from the State
in shell for a period of two years.
By Mr.. Turner-An act authorizing