Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1912-02-09
LETTER FROM BIG BUD
Editor Of the Beacon:

@NSt oohhiS IlioV q COtilIilitSCC Va ~
members be appointed to look into the
grievances, Insufficient representation.
unequal distribution of school funds,
etc., made by the members from
South Mississippi. 1t created quite a
stir and there were a lot of speeches
pro and con. Some of the North Mis-
sissippians said it was simply an enter
ing wedge for constitutional conven-
tion. and they were utterly opposed to
that measure. Our Mr.. Brame spoke
along this line end said he was willing
to correct these errors. but he would
not vote for convention, as ne thought
it safer to correct these matters by
amendment. He and Henry both voted
against the resolution, but | voted fol
it, as I thought we might get some in
formation from this committee and
while l will not vote for constitutional
Convention in Difference to what l be-
lieve to be the wish Of my constituents,
still would vote to submit an amend
ment to the Constitution authorizing
the legislature to change the basis OF
representation, so that the representa-
tion be based on population, we getting
full representation for all the negroes
Mcleod of Jackson county, said he was
willing to this, but thought that a
South Mississippi white man, out to be
equal to a North Mississippi negro.
and l don't think that any man can
gainsay this. A bill was introduced
asking that special committee be ap'
pointed looking to a re districting OF
the state, and cutting out three or four
of the new districts, which were created
by the last Legislature. | voted for
this because I was not in favor of Great
ing the four new districts at that time
but as it shows, that some of the coun-
ties needed more, or longer court terms
had to vote for the bill as it was, be-
cause it wss impossible to amend the
bill on the floor of the house, as the
work of re-districting would have hae
to be done all over again. Since the
creation of the Office of County Attor
ney, this officer has expedited The work
of our county tosuch an extent that we
had several bills offered, asking that
the extra court terms be stricken out
ard not many counties hold their terms
half as dong as allowed by law. So l
will vote to put the number of Circuit
Courts back to thirteen. Some of the
chancellors say they did not need more
districts. Our efficient chancellor.
Judge McCool, stated at the time that
If they would increase mis- pay he could
take three or four more counties. There
are difficulties in the way of this change
One is no one would want to deprive
attorneys of their salaries for this term.
Henry Minor is now in the speaker s
chair and looks quite dignified, and
graces the position.
We had bill up today authorizing a
primary to be held to fill any vacancies
that may occur in the position of U. S,
Senator. The reason given for this
was that there might not be any other
secret caucus. AS hold that we never
had a secret caucus, only secret bal
lot, voted against the measure. We
only had five votes against this, Mr.
Brame being one of these. The U. d.
C's. gave smoker to the old confeds
of the Legislature and the City of jack
son, on Wednesday night. We were
invited to bring the ladies and all had a
delightful time. l was called upon to
talk on accepting the invitation given
by the state of Pennsylvania through
their representative, Mr.. Beittey to
Visit Gettysburg on July 1st to 4th,
1918. Just fifty years after the great
battle was fought. Pennsylvania has
appropriated $3.50, 600 for the entertain
i,ment of oil the old Veterans, both Con-
|, 'sderates and Federals and wants to
n.,ve the greatest reunion ever held on
.he continent. He told US that they
would pay all expenses except the rail
road fare and there is a bill pending
asking the various Boards of Super
vsiors to appropriate enough money to
nav this for all who are unable to pay
their way. could tell them many in
cidents of this great battle, for | had
the honor of being there.
/ We went to Hattiesburg Saturday by
of the Chamber OF Com
m.rce, to take look at the site and
view the buildings of the great normal
school that has been located there. The
CITY of Hattiesburg and Forest county
gave s25O,OOO for this college and they
want the state to give as much more.
This was very liberal indeed on their
part and deserves recognition in a SUBJ
stantiai way by the state. We found
the foundation of the buildings all well
built and they propose to make these
buildings as near fire proof as possible.
and the most substantial buildings in the
safe We had a fine dinner and splen-