Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1911-11-24


but it was not a. part of the bill, but
finally we allowed them to amend the
bill. making it part of the bill, and all
but ten voted for it, and the soldiers
,, were pad
Colonel Street introduced resolution
asking that we pass what was known
as the immunity bill. 1t seems that
the statute of limitation only runs two
years against bribery. but runs six
against most of the other crimes, ir-
cluding larceny and getting money
under false pretenses. The bar asso-
citation recommended that bribery be
included in the other list, and that the
statute of Limitation be extended to six
years on this matter. AS soon as this
resolution was introduced. the Varda-
man-Bilbo men began to say that now,
1--WE know why this session was called,
this is the milk in the coccanut. -" But
Colonel Street told me that Gov. Noel
had nothing in the world to do with it;
he introduced it without consulting any
one. The Governor at once recon-
mended it, and / advocated it most
heartily, and in doing this certainly
thought I was consistent, for l. have
said all the time that there was no bri-
hery so far as l knew, and it astonished
me to find the very men who charged
fraud and bribery opposing this bill.
Two gentlemen, Messrs. Ratcliff and
James claim that when they went up
to have the bill passed to establish the
counties of George and Jefferson Davis,
Bilbo being chairman of Private and
Local Legislation in the Senate, had to
be paid money for his influence, and
when called on to testify in this manner
said that they could not do it, without
incriminating themselves, and under
the immunity bill we passed the Judge
is allowed to give immunity to either
one of these gentlemen and force them
to testify and l understand that they
will do SO now, and they have the can
celed checks to show. If this be true,
Bilbo ought to be expelled from the
Senate. If not true. he can show to
the world that they have lied on him.
As | claimed that Percy's commission
had no taint on it, l felt like I was
perfectly consistent in voting for. this
bill Ncg | supported Major Vardaman
las loyalty as any manin this county.
| He spoke three times in the county,
introduced him twice and saton the plat
form with him at The third place. Now
this matter is all over, he has teen
elected and we have got to put this be-
hind Us when we are called together as
members of the Legislature. We meet
then to try and do something to ad-
vance the best interest Of the state and
ought not to take into consideration if q
measure is introduced, whether it is by
Vardaman or Vardaman man, and
for one shall make this my rule. am
going down there believing that Brew
er has the best interest of the state at
heart, that he is a man Of intelligence
and honor and l btlieve will give us az
administration that we will be proud oi
and l shall most heartily sustain any
measure he advocates for the interest
of the state, when | can conscientiously
do 80.
introduced resolution saying the
in our vote for this measure, we intend
ed in no way to reflect on Mr.. Edwards
| who / believe to be conscientious Of
fetal A Vardaman-Bilbo man though
moved to lay it on the table saying
they were opposed to this. so with
drew it, but it reflected my sentiments
was told that certain bond bill was
favored by Gov. Noel, | told them il
: did not make any difference in tht
world to me, did not believe in tn,
measure: did not care who favored it
was going to vote against it, which
did.
Now this is about the history of tn,
Legislature down there, and the part
took in it. hope my people will be
lieve that | was consistent in this mat
ter, and tried to vote for their interes
regardless of the. senatorial question
which | regard as settled.
; And now want our people to put al
of this election business behind them
Vardaman has been nominated for tn,
D Senate, and when the Legislature meet
we will elect him to this exalted position
It is time for US to commence consid
erins what we are to do to counterac
: the effects of the boil weevil, whicl
We are pretty sure to nave. The mem
bers of the Legislature and others VIII,
l talked to while in Jackson about tn
boil weevil say he is more to be dreade,
. than an Army with banners" ant
they say that the men that will be hur
. worse by the boil weevil are those VIII,
say we are going to make one more bi,
crop. So Iurge my friends to be sur,