The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1912-02-16
Gov. Brewer Urges Reformation Of
Criminal Laws.

Aov'S
A few days ago Gov. Brewer sent
the following message to the legisla-
ture:
Gentlemen of the Mississippi Legisla-
ture;
l desire to call your attention to the
great necessity for a reformation of
the criminal laws and procedure of this
state, and in my judgment the. best
and most systematic way to do this
would be the passage of a statute au-
thorizing the governor to appoint three
able criminal lawyers to revise the
criminal laws and procedure. This can
be done at small cost and will greatly
facilitate the bringing of the guilty to
their just deserts.
l again reiterate that l do not be-
lieve there is anything that can do more
to advance the moral welfare, the in
dustrial development and aid us in the
march to a higher civilization than a
splendid code of criminal laws and pro-
cedure, that may be plain and easily
enforced, and l beg to submit here
with the report of a special committee
appointed by the State, Bar Associ-
alton to recommend such changes in
the criminal law and jury system as
would make more certain the speedy
punishment of crime which was adop-
ted by the Mississippi State Bar As
ISOLATION at it's last annual meeting.
This report makes many suggestions
that are wise and timely and deserves
your most mi ture consideration.
Respectfully,
Earl Brewer,
Governor.
A list of bills prepared by the COM
mittee appointed by the Mississippi
State Bar Association and submitted to
the legislature on Feb. 9th:
A concurrent resolution submitting
an amendment to the constitution per-
hitting changes of venLe in criminal
cases on application of the state and
providing that venire facias may run
to other counties.
An amendment to the constitution
defining an impartial juror in criminal
cases
An act to regulate trial of homicide
cases where insanity is relied upon as a
defense.
An act to amend section 1859 code
1906 and making a receipt of deposits
within three months of the suspension
OF the bank in business prima facie ev-
idence of insolvency, at the time of re-
ceipt Of deposit.
An act amending section 1916 as to
qualification of husband and wife as
witnesses for and against each other.
An act to qualify a juror in trial of a
capital case Notwithstanding he may be
opposed to capital punishment.
An act to amend section 1910 regula-
ting the trial of cases of homicide and
other criminal cases where insanity is
relied upon as a defense.
w PAo'iuihS 1OT Tie repeal OF
sections 1888, $500, 1852, 2693, 1884.
1886 aud 2699, code 1906, and providing
for the establishment of a jury com-
mission and defining its duties.
An act to amend section 1858 of code
1906, to repeal certain exemptions from
Jury service.
An act providing that in every trial
for crime only one charge on the reas-
doubt and presumption of inno-
shall be given.
An act to amend section 1853 of the
code of 1906 to define embracery and
prevent tampering with jurors.
An act permitting the testimony of a
witness when once taken in open court.
be read at any subsequent trial of
case when the witness is dead, in
sane or beyond the Jurisdiction of the
court.
An act to limit the act of self de.
Tense in the trial of cases for homicide.
An act to amend section 4464 of the
'ode of 1906 to make a deputy sheriff
Ineligible to succeed himself.