The Port Gibson reveille., 1908-01-16
GOV. Yardaman'S Farewell Message
Remarkable Document Making Strong Recon-
mOndatiOn For Public Good

jackson. Miss.-Governor Varda-
man s message, the last annual mes
sage Of his eventful four years term,
was read in the Senate and House,
and was listened to with marked In
terest and attention. The message Is
written in Vardaman's vigorous, elo-
quent and forceful style, and covers
a variety Of subjects of state inter-
est. 1t was the longest document ever
submitted to Mississippi's law-mak-
ing body, consisting of nearly twen-
ty thousand words. The governor
discussed the states financial condi-
tion at length, stating that the report
of the secretary of state shows most
gratifying growth in the organization
of corporate enterprises for the last
two years which indicates great faith
in the material future of Mississippi
on the part of those who have money
to invest. The increase in this form
of wealth for the last two years is
without parallel in the history of the
state.
The report of the efficient treasur-
er. Hon. w. J. Miller, reveals most
encouraging and satisfactory condi-
ton of the states finances. It shows
the total payable bonded indebted
ness of the state to be about $1.25O.-
900 in round numbers which is about
the most of the new capitol If bonds
had been issued as authorized by law
for the building Of the new capitol
9Iississippi's payable bonded indebt-
edness need not have been one dollar
today, except for the building Of the
capitol.
The following are the recommends
tions submitted:
Constitutional Amendment.
To give legislature unrestricted au-
shorty to deal with states public
school system, and distribute school
funds to whites and negroes proper
tiOnate to taxes paid by each risee.
To distribute more uniformly repre-
sentation in the state legislature.
To provide for an elective judic-
iary. =
New Laws Recommended.
Child labor law.
Juvenile court measure, giving cir
cult or chancery courts jurisdiction.
Establishments of prudent, wise
system of state repositories.
Prohibit and punish drunkenness in
office.
Separation of races in sleeping and
dining cars.
Amendments to Acts.
Broaden powers of railroad commits
sion as to railroads, telegraph and
telephone companies, so that it can
regulate passenger fares and freight
rates, enforce, better road beds, roll
ing stock and prohibit overwork of
employees. Add governor and after
ney general as members of railroad
commission, and provide fund for
contingent expenses.
Death penalty for rape.
Reduce contract rate of interest to
8 per cent.
Creation of New Offices.
Department Of health. particularly
to fight tuberculosis.
Additional judge or judges for su-
preme court.
State bank examiner.
State oculist for charitable institu-
tions.
One or more circuit and chancery
court districts.
Second assistant attorney general.
Stenographer in governors office.
Stenographer for each supreme
Judge.
Live stock sanitary board.
Dentist for prison.
Landscape gardener for capital
grounds.
New Public Institutions.
Industrial school or reformatory
for boys and girls.
State charity hospital at Jackson.
Old woman's home.
Hospital for feeble minded chill
dren
Normal school for training state
teachers.
Brick building for convicts on Ran
kin county farm.
Public Improvements.
Completion of state insane hospital.
New and modern buildings for
Agricultural and Mechanical College,
and Industrial Institute and College.
System of cottages for white pa
tients at state insane hospital, and
more money for battling with tuber-
culosis among patients.
The stagnation in business circles
~ .