The Tupelo journal., 1908-03-13
FORTY-FIFTH DAY.
uauco

The first bill called up for action was
that providing for a remedy for the
rights of riparian owners as to oyster
grounds and oyster fishing, in order to
establish their claims in courts of law.
The bill was introduced by Mr.. Bloom
field, and after a brief explanation of
its features and purpose, which is in the
main to vest the chancery courts with
jurisdiction to quiet and establish titles,
and determine what are natural reefs
and what are not, the bill passed, 50 to
o, and by request of Mr.. Bloomfield the
rules were suspended and it was sent
Immediately to the Senate.
Another long discussion followed the
calling up by Mr.. Yewell of the motion
to reconsider his bill regulating the
holding of terms of chancery court,
which was passed by a good majority.
Mr.. Woods of Tate, from the minori-
ty of the committee on railroads, filed a
report setting forth briefly but emphati-
cally their reasons for dissent from the
majority adverse report, against the
passage of any bill to make passenger
rate reduction statutory. Mr.. Woods
made an attempt to get the bills set
for special order, but there being OBJ
JCNllOHs lIlC Vic lulCo tDlo SouIl iIol
be done, so that the time at which the
bill can be gotten at through the minor
ity report is indefinite.
The next matter of interest taken up
was the constitutional prohibition reso-
luton, which was, on a motion to table
motion to reconsider the last vote had
on the subject, which prevailed by a de-
cisive majority.
Under the ruling of the chair it would
require a two-thirds vote of the House
to table the motion to reconsider, and
the roll call showed that it had prevailed,
the vote being 70 to %.
On motion of Mr.. johnson of Clarke
the bill providing for an increase in the
salary of the secretary of state from
$4,000 to $4,000 was taken up. The
original bill called for the sum of 3d.
900, but this was amended by the com
mittee by a cut of 5000 after quite a
conference.
The bill created some discussion on the
floor, some of the members themselves in
favor, but desiring to make it effective
four years hence. This amendment was
rejected, and Mr.. Burkett took the floor
against an increase in this or any other
salary. Mr.. Quin supported the bill. A
motion to indefinitely postpone was then
made and this, after discussion, was
adopted by a vote of 20 to 21.
Mr.. Doherty introduced a bill to en-
courage athletics in the university of the
State colleges, by appropriating specific
sums, So, 1000 each, to the university and
the Agricultural and Mechanical College,
and $1,000 to the Industrial Institute
and College.
Senate.
The first business after the introduce
ton of bills was the third reading of
bills, which resulted in the passage of
two important oyster bills, both of
which were clearly explained by Mr..
Mcdonald. House bill No. Alb, which
raises the present tax from two to three
cents, prohibits dredging in Bay st.
Louis and Bay of Biloxi, and on new
reefs established by the State; prohibits
taking oysters from new Re 5, except at
: erice to be fixed by commission,
which shall not be not less thar eight
cents per barrel.
S. B. 94-To provide "a remedy for
riparian owners to determine whether
the waters fronting their property SON
tain natural oyster reefs, or if the same
is susceptible for use as private oyster
planting grounds.
S. B. 202-Authorizing any municipal
ity not composing a separate school dis
trict to levy an annual tax to aid in
the education Of children within such
mum pal limits.
H. ". 304 was then called up and
passed, the amended title being adopted.
The only important change is in strik-
ing out the section which requires that
there shall be three physicians on the
board of trustees of the State Insane
Hospital.