The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1911-11-17


the bill for the reason, as stated by
some members, it proposed to tread on
the toes and infringe the p~rerogative of
the county district, which could not
float bonds for the purpose.
Gov. Noel sent what he characterized
as his final message on legislation for
this session, which was largely a ~reiter-
alton of his recommendations previously
submitted.
Jackson.-Senator Theodore G.. Bilbo
spoke before the senate Monday after
noon against the Thigpin Immunity
bill' suggested by Gov. Noel to facilitate
the prosecution OF bribery and remove
the bar of the statute of limitation
against the crime. The measure intro
duced by Senator Thigpin was called
during the morning session. The anti
administration forces made a determined
stand against the measure. The ju-
dietary committee of the senate report
ed u~nfavorably on the bill, claiming that
IL was not an argument of legislation,
and further, that it was a blow aimed at
one man.
A substitute for the Thigpin bill was
offered. 1t was a companion to the bill
introduced in the house. and this fact
lent it support when it was passed in
lieu of the original bill. he ONLY diff
ference between the substitute and the
original bill as offered by Senator Ting
pm Is that one gives the circuit Judges
the power to grant immunity to wit
nesses testifying in bribery eases, and
aims at not only the giver, but the
taker of brides.
Senator Bilbo arose shortly after the
substitute was offered and moved the
adoption, and Senator Seawright took
the floor to explain TIE object of the sub
stitute bill. He said that he was of
the opinion that the minority report of
the judiciary committee, of which he
was a member, would have been suf-
ficlent and that the bill would not be
passed at this session of the legislature.
lie said that there are none more anx-
ious and willing than himself to uphold
the criminal laws of the state, and then
explained that the substitute offered
differed little from the original bill.
Senator Bilbo explained that one rea-
son he did not take part in the debates
was because he was not in sympathy
with the session, another was that be-
cause he has just come out of a heated
campaign and did not want to wear the
patience OF those who opposed him. He
SAID that his name has been whispered
about, and that he has come to realize
that 1t was a duty he owed himself and
his constituents to speak. This is the
eighth specific attempt to destroy me-"
he declared, and he enumerated the at
tacks made on him during the campaign.
Senator Reed took the floor and de-
hHered a non-partisan address. Among
the most pertinent things HI said that
the senate consider the bill, not the
man. He declared that he believed that
Mississippi is one of the few states that
has been absolutely free of bribery. and
speaking of the judiciary of the state.
he declared that it was above reproacb.
Senator Vance made a magnificent ap-
peal to keep the party intact and dis
continue fractional politics.
Senator Tucker declared that he wo,ld
support the bill, explaining that in its
passage the Bilbo opposition would elect
him next governor of Mississippi.
Senator Mcdonald offered a motion to
table the substitute, which was lost on
n tie vote of IS to IS.
A motion to adjourn at 10 O'Clock was
sprung by Senator Owea. Senator Frank
hing insisted on a roll call. The motion
was lost-2O to 76.
Senator Franklin called for the bill
to appropriate money to pay for print
ing OF the extra session and to make I'M
the deficit in the printing fund. The
bill was called up under a suspension OF
the rules.
Senator Owen again called for his mo-
ton to adjourn and confusion followed
the attempt to choke of further bust
hess before the senate.
The Tucker motion to adjourn was
lost-21 to 6-and Senator Franklin
called up senate bill No. 16, providing
tor an appropriation to pay for the
printing of the journal and make up the
deficit in the printing fund for 1919.
senator Harper offered an amend
ment, which was tabled, and when the
bill was engrossed and put up for final
passage it was carried by a vote of 81
against 4.
senate Gibbs reminded the senate of
the memorial services to the deceased
members, and at s o'clock the senate ra-
convened and heard the memorials 70
senators Simpson and Ferdinand Kew
and adjourned.