The Kemper herald., 1908-02-06
OPPOSE STATE
NORMAL SCHOOL
HOUSE COMMITTEE REPORTS
AGAINST APPROPRIATION.
LIQUOR BILL is COMPLETED
College Committee Off For Inspec-
tion This Week. Cunningham 8
School Fund. Plan to Visit State
Schools.

Jackson, Miss.-The surprise of the
legislature rdlaradaosihnrdlu mfwypc
legislative session occurred when the
house committee on education through
Chairman Burkitt, reported adversely
on the bill proposing the establishment
OF the state normal and training
school for teachers.
In view Of the fact that the estab-
lishment of this proposed institution
has been given an overwhelming i'll
dorsement from the press and the
school teachers of the state of Mis-
sissippi, the report of the committee
caused considerable astonishment
among the members.
From what can be learned, the adj
verse action is based chiefly on the
ground that the state cannot afford at
this time to expend the sum necessa-
ry for the erection of the buildings,
estimated at from 100000 to $780,
600.
In spite Of this adverse report from
the committee, a determined effort
will be made to secure the passage of
the measure, and it will come up for
consideration during the next week.
Liquor Bill Ready.
The joint committee on liquor traf-
fic has finished its work, and the four
bills proposing statutory prohibition
for Mississippi are in readiness for
consideration.
A majority Of the committeeman
stood firmly in adherence to the CON-
promise clause, which will put the
statutory measure into effect on the
31st Of December.
The radical element made deter
m. I'D effort to secure control Of the
committe, but without success. A
majority of the members believed that
il weull be- far better TO secure har-
monious action, thus assuring favor
able consideration of the concurrent
resolution providing for statutory pro
hibition, and it is now believed that
both measures will be favorably acted
upon, with very few dissenting votes.
Child Labor Amendment.
"The bill presented by the oppo-
nents of the proposer child labor law,
fixing the age limit at 10 years is
absurd" said Senator Mcdowell, lead
err of the child labor forces. 81 am
surprised that such measure should
be presented by men supposed to be
both sane and sober. 1t is utterly
out of reason, and instead of being
entirely fair to all parties interested,
as stated in the text, it actually pro-
poses to legalize child slavery by fix
ing the age limit at 10 years.
81 am confident that both branches
of the legislature will approve the
bill fixing the age limit at IA years
and that they will also give assent to
other needed restrictions relative to
the employment Of children in the cot
ton factories of the state.
''Unlike some Of the Southern COM
monwealths, the child labor question
in Mississippi is not crying evil, ow-
ing to the small number of cotton fac
tories, but it promises to become so
in future years, and now is the time Of
all times to enact statute on the sub
ject, before the numerical strength be-
comes so strong that it will be we'll
nigh impossible to enact the desired
legislation.
$4,000 for the Blind.
The committee on humane and be.
nevolent institutions submitted re-
port to the house approving the spec
ial budget of the blind institute, car
rying an appropriation of $4,000, to
be used in repairs and improvements
at that institution.
The budget was approved in its orig
inal form, no reduction being made
from the estimate furnished by the
board of trustees. After a person
al inspection of the property, the COM
mittee decided that the appropriation
was imperative, and it is believed that
the bill, after the customary refer
ence to the appropriation committee,
will go through without amendment.
A subcommittee has been appointed
to investigate the needs of the insti-
tuition for the deaf and dumb, and a
report will be submitted next Mon
day. The board Of trustees Of this in
stitution has asked for a good-sized
allowance, to be used in the erection
Of new buildings, landscape garden
ing and other improvements.