The Kemper herald. (Scooba, Miss.) 1875-1908, 1908-01-30


entirely fair and just to the public.
The company offers to submit all OF
its original records, vouchers, receipt
books and papers for the scrutiny of
experts who may be employed by the
legislature or the railroad commission
and to cheerfully abide by the con-
clusion that may be reached as a re-
suit of ,this probing In fact, the cor
poration is literally on its knees be-
fore the legislature, and the placing
of the memorial on the desks of the
| members has aroused much comment,
for the Cumberland virtually has a
monopoly of the telephone business
in this state.
Child Labor Victory.
The advocates of child labor law
in the senate scored decided victory
when they succeeded in having the
proposed child labor statute referred
! to the committee on agriculture, COM
meree and manufactures. A majority
Of that committee are known to be
favorably disposed toward the bill.
The members are Messrs. Bailey, Nc
Gehee, West, Hightower, Mcmillan,
Harper, Bush, Potter, Barry and
Breland.
The bill was introduced by Senator
Mcdowell and meets with the APPROVAL
Of The allied organizations that have
been working in behalf of this reform
1t fixes the age limit at IA years, and
prohibits the working of children more
than ten hours per day, or fifty-eight
hours per week. All children between
the ages of IA and 16 years must show
certificates that they have attended
school sixteen weeks during the year.
The enforcement of the law is plac-
ed under the direction of the depart
ment Of agriculture and commerce
and inspection is made compulsory by
county, health officers, sheriffs and the
commissioner of agriculture and COM
merce. Factories must remain open
for inspection by all peace officers.
Children under age Of Is are not
allowed to engage in night work.
A companion measure has been III
presented in the lower house by Mr..
Foster, of Warren.
Senator Simmons has introduced a
bill in the upper body having as its
purpose the correction Of an evil per-
petrated on the people of South Mis-
sissippi during the carpetbagger days.
The bill has reference ito lands sold
for taxes prior to 1875, when the abate
ment act was passed. At that time
ignorance, cupidity and criminality
prevailed in the state land Office and
thousands of acres of land were
wrongfully sold, titles to which are
now in confusion
Back to Carpetbagger Days.
Senator Simmons has framed bill
providing the method whereby these
land titles may be quieted, and the
matter is now pending before the ju-
dietary committee. 1t is believed that
favorable action will be secured from
that body. In the meantime the au-
thor is diligently at work collecting
data showing practical working ef-
| fects of his measure and the value
of the lands involved.
Fellow Servant Law.
The most important report framed
by the senate judiciary committee
since the legislature convened was pre-
sented when favorable action was re-
ported on the McLaurin bill abolishing
the fellow servant law.
Under the terms of the mesaure,
as amended by the committee, if an
employe be injured by the negligence
of fellow-servant he can recover
damages by legal action. In brief,
the proposed statute wipes the fell
low-servant rule from the statute
books, and determined fight will be
made to secure its passage.
The senate judiciary committee also
made a favorable report on the Bush
bill, giving to employees of saw and
planning mills, and all persons or con-
cerned in the timber business, lien
for wages, and providing for the en-
forcement and duration of the lien.
Mr.. Bush also secured favorable
report on his bill providing that when
personal property exceeding 500 in
value is sold the little shall be vested
in the vendor until purchase price is
paid, providing the sale is properly &C
knowledged and recorded
State Depository Bill.
The Potter bill, providing for a
state depository system, will come
up for consideration in the senate ju-
dietary committee before the close of
| the week.
Several similar measures have been
introduced on this subject, but the
Potter bill seemingly meets with the
approval of majority of the mem
bers of the committee, and will prob
ably be adopted, with some amend
ments.
There was some usrprise among
members in both houses when the su-
preme court showed division of opin-
ion concerning the constitutionality
of the proposed state depository law,
Justices Mayes and Calhoon holding
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