The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1912-05-08
PRES. BAR ASSN
IS severe ON
new LAWS
COLONEL A. F. FOX BOLD AND
VIGOROUS IN HIS CRITICISM
OF MANY STATUTES.
DOES NOT MIME WORDS
Thinks Governor Brewer Should Have
Vetoed Commission Government Bill
For Same Reason That Referendum
and Recall Were Killed.

Jackson, Miss, May S.-A remarka- II
Dly bold and vigorous criticism of the L
statutes enacted by the legislature at r
It's last session was set forth in the d
annual address delivered by President
A. F. Fox, of the Mississippi Bar AS f
sociation at the session of that body a
this afternoon. t
President Fox points out several
laws enacted by the body that are
clearly unconstitutional. He opened
his review of the statutes of 1912 with
an analysis of Gov. Brewers veto OF
the elective judiciary bill, seeking to
have circuit judges and chancellors
made elective in November of the cur
rent year, and declared that the Gov
ernor transcribed his authority In
basing his veto on the ground that the
amendment was not submitted as re-
uuired by section 273 of the constitu-
ton, but was clearly right in also bas-
ing the veto on the ground that sec
tion 4 of the bill was in conflict with
section 1T of the constitution.
President Fox commended the spirit
of the new statute prohibiting corpo-
rations from acquiring large bodies OF
lands in the state, presumably for ag-
ricultural purposes, but holds that the
statute should have accomplished the
same limit by prescribing maximum
of lands that may be owned by corpo-
rations. Relative to the Attorney
Generals attempt to prevent approval
of charters for corporations organized
to engage in agricultural pursuits be-
fore the statute becomes effective, he
iocularly expressed the hope that the
Attorney-General was right in his rul-
ing. but feels quite sure that he is
wrong
Approval is given of the income tax
law passed by the legislature.
Regarding the statute fixing tax OF
three per cent on the gross earnings
of all companies engaged in the busi-
ness of leasing or furnishing cars to
railway lines, President Fox expresses
doubt as to its constitutionality be-
cause of the difficulty in fixing the
situs of cars used in interstate bust
ness.
The proposed constitutional amend
ment providing that the title OF al
--......- I. o,oo ftar ano ofod hv tha leg
iislature shall be followed by the cap
ton. "Be 1t enacted by the people O.
the state of Mississippi" is branded al
d absurd on the ground that it does vic
s. lence to reason to suppose that thu
d legislature is the people, and, If adopt
r ed. the state will have constitutional
ID provision as to what shall be the styl
10 of a bill. but none as to what shall b
Id the style of a law.
at President Fox commends the legis
rs lature for its refusal to repeal the lay
IS creating the office of county prosecut
sn ing attorney, and says that since tn
d. creation of that office the enforcement
Oh law has D6Sh AASNN
IS. certain and less expensive.
w. Regarding the repeal of the act pr
Ill hibiting any legislative, judicial
ne state officer from serving as truste
ds of a state educational institution, Pre-
ident Fox did not mince words, decla
xt ing that it is sickening to see those
ur control of these institutions trucklir
10. to Governor, and suggests that IL
is only effective method of keeping Il
of colleges out of politics is to depri'
of the Governor of all appointive pow
his save in cases where it is absolute
he necessary for the proper administl
ton of justice,
The president of the association
clared that there is no constitution
warrant for the statute prohibit
Greek letter fraternities in state et
~ eational institutions; that the lawmf
" ers would have just as much author
to prohibit q student from being
ish Mason, Odd Fellow or Pythian; Il
is the act is obnoxious to section II
ida the constitution in that the title
PES. wholly insufficient.
vs. Regarding the lowering ~