The Hattiesburg news., 1911-12-26
IsTATE CAPITOL A SCENE OF
BUSY ACTIVITY FROM
NOW ON.
GOVERNOR NOEL'S LAST MESSAGE
Will Write Final Papers To The
a Incoming Solons - Governor-EIect
Brewer Is At Work On Inaugural
( Address.

Jackson, Miss, Dec. 26.-Secreary
Of State j. W. Power will put his
forces to work today getting the as
sembly chamber in readiness for the
vened one week hence, Tuesday, Jan
uafy End
" Biennial reports from the various
departments of state government are
being received, and will be placed on
/ the desks of members on the opening
day.
Ia The first day of the legislative ses-
sion, and perhaps a good portion of
the second, will be consumed with the
work of organization, election of Off
GERS, etc.
Gov Noel's message will not be
represented until the two houses are
organized and are in readiness for
Siness.
While Gov. Noel will doubtless sub
init a ;oodly number of suggestions
for needed legislation, the main body
of his message will be devoted to a
review of governmental affairs during
the past two years.
Until the new administration as
sumes full charge, which will not be
until the 18th of January, the two
law-making bodies will doubtless be
in a do-nothing state. At least, the
policy of the new administration will
not be fully outlined.
And, strange to say, little is known
ton policy will be, or what important
measures Governor Brewer will put
before the lawmakers for considera
tion.
I AS will be recalled, the new Cover
nor was elected without opposition
and did not even enunciate platform
save to reiterate his platform advo
Gated on the stump four years pre-
viously when he gave Gov. Noel a
:. close finish, losing out in the second
I Urinary by only about 1000 votes.
IN AS it has been nearly five years
kSMnce that campaign, the public gen
= orally has forgotten exactly what Mr.
Brewer did advocate, and, while nc
apprehension is felt that he will
adopt radical or destructive poll y
at the same time q very keen inter
est is being felt in what he will set
forthain his inaugural address.
The contest for the speakership OF
the house, which is the most impor
tant matter to be decided by the new
legislature, is already settled, the
/ withdrawal of Hon. S. Joe Owen, OF
Union, from the race being equiva
lent to the election of. Hon. H. NJ
Quin of this city, to that coveted
honor.
The tight for the clerkship will also
be 81 4rp and decisive. 1t is an
nouncsd that Capt. John G. eastman
of Vcksburg, is no longer an active
candidate, and this doubtless means
InaU lAe race VIII DS DelWeeu hon
L. Pink Smith, who has served in that
position for the past sixteen years
and Mr.. Leslie Blount, of Water Val
ley. Mr. Smith claims that he has
a sufficient number of votes pledged
to secure his election, but this is not
conceded by his principal opponent.
Hon Stokes Robertson, of Hatties
burg, is looming up as a formidable
candidate and it is possible that he
will secure the plum as a compromise
Akman
n The office of president pro TEN o.
Me senate will doubtless be virtually
settled by caucuses prior to the as
sembly of the body, and, while three
or four members have been suggest
ed for the honor, it is not likely thai
more than one ballot will be taken
The contest for the secretaryship o.
the senate is apparently between Hon
Frank Robertson, the present incum
bent and Mr.. Fred Yerger, of this
city.
Goyernorelect Brewer is sticking
steadfastly to his declared determine