The Kemper herald., 1908-02-06

each year, while hill counties are una
BILE to secure sufficient funds to keep
their schools in session more than four
months, the Cunningham amendment
met with much favor, and it was voted
down chiefly because Of the doubt con-
cerning its constitutionality, as at
tached to an appropriation bill. Again
it was pointed out that the delta
counties could easily avod the provis-
ions of the amendment by first ex-
pending the state appropriation prop
er, and then reserving the county ap-
preparation and the poll tax collected
and retained within the county.
Vicksburg Memorial.
Capt. w. I. Ratliff, of Raymond
a member Of the Mississippi National
Military Park commission, was in the
city yesterday and discussed the ques-
ton of an additional appropriation.
In his biennial message Gov. Var
daman recommended $4,000 appro-
priation to complete the work of erect
ing memorial to the Mississippi
troops who fell during the siege OF
Vicksburg, the amount being needed
to finish the bronze work around the
base, for which plans are now being
prepared by Prof. Triebel, the design
er.
Ex-Gov. Vardaman will continue to
serve as "a member Of the commission,
rsolution adding him to the member
ship having passed both houses. 1t
was the desire of the other commits
sioners, Messrs. Ratliff, Yerger and
eastman, that he be retained on ac-
count of his familiarity with the work
this far accomplished. Gov. Noel is an
ex-officio member of the body, The
work is making fairly good headway,
and the memorial will probably be ded
icated before the end of the present
year.
To Increase Pensions.
The senate pension committee held
a meeting last evening and agreed to
report several important changes in
the pension laws, which will be incor-
porated in the form of bill and SUBJ
mitted within the next few days.
First and foremost, the COMMITTEES
has given its Endorsement to the action
of the house committee on pensions,
increasing the appropriation from
$3.50, 10000 to 100000 per annum, and
it seems to be generally understood
that the increased allowance will be
approved in both houses.
In addition, the senate committee
| wants TO increase the allowance to the
two preferred classes, the first from
1925 to $3.50 per 'annum, and the see
ond from $75 to 800 per annum.
A proposition has also been favorably
acted up to amend the statute in re-
gard to qualifications for widows, by
providing that widows married to
Confederate soldiers prior to 1880
may draw pensions. At present the
time limit is 1875.
Old Capitol Property.
1t is apparent from inquiry among
the leading merabers of the two house
that the Legislature will not authorize
the sale of the old capitol building
or the governors s masion.
taxing stock after Feb. l where busi-
ness has been started after that date.
The House held exercises in MEM
ory of the late Ex-Speaker acob H.
Sharp.
The Anderson SANDER bill was kill
ed in the Senate, the belief prevail
ing that it is better to have written
than an unwritten law for dealing
with villifying reports.
w. J. Bryan accepted the invitation
to address the legislature during the
latter part of February.
DIR. Wyck Rose, of Nashville, Ten
nessee, in an address before a joint
session of the Committees on Educa-
tin, pointed out the practical value
of general teachers traing schools.
The House passed mesaure fixing
the first Monday in April for adver-
aising delinquent tax sales.
The House, by viva voee vote, de-
eided against the proposition to make
women eligible for the position OF
County Superintendent of Education.
Representative Bird introduced =
bill in the House to require all life,
fire. accident and casualty insurance
companies operating in Mississippi to
invest a part of their legal reserve in
local securities.
The Senate, in executive session,
confirmed the appointment of c. H.
Neylands as Superintendent of the
Penitentiary, made by Governor Var
damaa after the expiration of his term
of office.
Senator Adams offered an amend
mnt increasing the yearly appropris-
tion for the common school fund from
81 $50, 900 to $1,5OO,OO0, but the biz
as originally drafted was passed.
The House passed bill providing
for increased remuneration for boards
of supervisors in connection with their
duties as custodians of public roads.
The legislature as body will visit