Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1911-11-16
Mississippi
Legislature
INTEREST WILL Be PAID
G BILL AND MILITIA BILL
PASS BY BIG VOTE.
INT of $4,000 Added to Militia
7Several Legislators Are
Sworn In.
redemption legislation

DOHu ItuelupIloH ltSlSIdllou
tne call at both ends of the state
ldtol Thursday, and at each end the
iministration wing carried off the hon
fs. In the senate the bond funding
pill was passed after a lengthy debate,
! and will be sent to the house for han,
ding.
At the house end the same general
topic was under consideration in the
shape OF the Bird bill, which would make
provision for redeeming the 1910 bonds
by direct appropriation Of 5000, 900. The
administration whips had gotten in their
work to advantage, and despite the
sturdy.fght put up by the insurgents to
trip up the majority forces, their efforts
were signalized by victory.
There is one feature of this Bird meas
ure which may possibly impede its
smooth passage further or delay its eff
feet. This is that in order to give it ef-
feet, it will require siXty-nine votes in
the house to pass the appropriation bill
which is necessary to the carrying out of
the provisions of the act. The admins
tration forces believe that this can be
done, while the other side claims -sufi-
cient strength to tie the whole thing up.
By way of stirring the lawmakers to
further effort the governor sent in q
special message urging favorable action
for the sake Of equitable treatment for
che bond purchasers. The deficit, he
urged, would be immaterial, even if every
dollar Of the $6OO,05O should be applied
for before February /, 1912. To this
point he cites the fact that at the end
OF 1907 there was a balance of cash on
hand amounting to only $3.50, with un-
paid appropriations amounting to $685.
057, which deficit was settled from taxes
collected during that same winter. =.
New senators and representatives
chosen to fill existing vacancies APP
peared with their credentials and were
sworn in and seated. Five representa-
tives and four senators were added to
the rolls in this way, Representative
Herbert Holmes, of Tate, was unanimous
ly elected speaker pro tenn, owing to
the absence Of Speaker Street, who was
called away by the death of his son,
Albert J. Street. The house, by a de-
sTs7ye g0te. turned down a resolution
nToopsing to adjourn on Saturday, the
DEMONSTRATION forces fighting the propo-
sition, wbie the insurgents almost to a
nan g1d including two new men who
IA not taken their seats half an hour
OBVIOUSLY, supported the resolution.
The military appropriation bill" with
an amendment by which $4,000 is added
in the itemized statement, was rushed
through the senate on final passage by
a vote Of 30 against 8, The insurgents
attempted to muster enough strength to
prevent a two-thirds vote, but when it
came to the final Showdown" Bilbo,
Harper and Bailey were the only three
that voted against the measure.
The admip istration crowd was rein
forced by Senators Robb, Eddins, Clay
ton and Wilroy, who were sworn in to
Ill vacancies in the senate caused by
designations.
The entire afternoon session of the
senate was devoted TO the clearing of the
calendar. Senate bill No. 5, introduced
by Senator Potter of Kinds, and which
provides for an appropriation of 5000
to make up the deficiency in the salary
Of the assistant land commissioner for
1910 and q like amount for 1911, was
passed almost by unanimous vote, Sen
ator Harper standing alone against the
measure. Senator Potter spoke for the
bill, explaining That the last legislature
had increased the salary Of the assistant
5000 a year, but had failed to make
provision for paying the increase. In
response to q question from Senator
Franklin of the Thirty-irst district,
Senator Potter stated the increase was
approved by Gov. Noel. Senator Frank
lin called for the Mcdonald bill, pro-
viding for an appropriation to pay spe-
cial judges. The bill passed, 81 against
1, Harper again standing alone.
The following message was received
from Gov. Noel:
Il herewith submit, with my recon-
mendation, the following subjects for
your consideration and action:
"First-Authorizing municipalities to
issue bonds for the erection or erection
and equipment of agricultural : high
schools.
"Second-The amendments of sections
1905, 1903 and 14o4, of the code of 1905,
as unanimously recommended in the re-
,ort Of the committee appointed by the
state bar association, TO recommend
sucp changes in the criminal law and
jury system as will make more certain
and speedy the punishment of crime,'
pfnAMtcT pETITTnNc Fnp pAPDON