The Kemper herald., 1908-02-27

ment because OF the fact that they
had promised the prohibition leaders
to do so when it was agreed to fix
the time limit of the statutory law at
December 31st. =
Will Not Amend or Revise Law.
The defeat of the Bilbo conatitu.
tional convention bill in the senate
and similar fate met by the coneti,
tutional amendment in the house
means that the legislature is going to
stab everything that looks like pro-
position to revise or amend the or
ganic law. The adjournment will show
not exceeding two amendments sub
mitted to the people for ratification
or rejection at the November cleo
ton.
Passed University Budget.
The action of the senate in passing
the university appropriation bill in
the precise form recommended by the
finance committee, was in striking
contrast to the very close trimming
given by the house to the deaf and
dumb institute appropriation bill,
which was mutilated beyond recog-
milton. Numerous attempts were
made in the senate to amend the COM
mittee form Of the university budget,
but without success. Some of the
amendments offered were almost fri
volous in character, and came chiefly
from members who knew nothing
whatever about the affairs of the uni
versity or the character of its work.
| For instance, one member wanted to
cut the allowance for new power
house from $4,000 to $4,000, re-
gardless of the fact that the finance
committee had pruned the amount
$1,000, and it is doubtful whether an
adequate plant can be erected at the
figure approved by the committee.
Governor Signs It.
GovernorNoel has signed the statu-
tory prohibition bill, and all that is
necessary to make the measure law
is the arrival Of the date Of enforce
ment which is fixed for the 31st of
December.
Deprived of Power.
An unprecedented action took place
in the house when resolution was
adopted ,depriving the committee on
constitution of the power to act on
proposed amendments to section 206
of the constitution, relative to dis
ftribution of the common school fund,
and placing the entire subject matter
in the hands of a Special committee
of fifteen. Mr.. Jones, of Union,
chairman of the constitution commit
tee, is the author of one Of the propos-
ed amendments, and his measure was
laid on the table subject to call.
Low Pressure.
A slow pressure" report was sub
mitted from Chairman Burkitt, of the
house committee on education, de-
nouncing the demands for appropria-
tions made by the state educational
institutions. The report was accom-
panied by many figures seeking to
show the excessive cost of higher ed
ucation. and in part says:
''When we reflect that there is
now a demand upon the legislature
fer two buildings to cost hundred
thousand dollars each,s in which to
house not more than twelve hundred
boys and girls, of the so-called better
than is given for the education of
hundred thousand boys and girls in
the rural districts, | imagine that ev-
cry member of this house who has a
spark of sympathy for the states
burden bearers, the men and women
who produce our wealth and pay our
taxes, viii raise their voices in sol
emn protest against this crying in
justice
Very little legislation was enacted
in either body. The senate passed a
bill raising the property limit of Con-
federate pensioners from $500 to
5000.
Commission Created.
The house passed bill creating
the Vicksburg National Military Park
commission, but carrying no appro-
pristion therefor.
Mrs. Maud Ballington Booth, who
is leading the prison reform move
ment and making the rounds of South
ern State prisons, paid visit to the
state penitentiary farm for white con
victs in Rankin county She return
ed to Jackson and addressed large
number of members of the legislature
and citizens of the capital in Repre-
sentatives' Hall. Mrs. Booth was
presented to the audience by Cover
nor Noel, who captured all by her free
and ready manner of speech and de-
livery. She showed that one of the
most urgent needs of legislation in
all the countries is the practice and
fixed establishment of more hu-
name and enlightened methods of
treatment and care of convicts. She
closed with an earnest appeal to the
legislators present to study their own
system Of prison management aad
care and apply those which have been
successfully adopted elsewhere.
Senator Latimer Dead.