The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1916-02-20
BILL PROVIDING TERMi.
NATION OF BACK TAX
SUITS ENDORSED
CUT THE SCHOOL
APPROPRIATION
Bill Providing fer Construction
Of State Highway Under
Consideration.

Jackson, Miss, Feb. lS.-Memhers
Of the Senate and House from al
parts Of the state are hearing from
their constituents in regard TO the
Hemphill bin, which was introduced
yesterday in the Senate, the purpose
Of which is to bring about an abate-
ment of the numerous suits and
claims now pending throughout the
state, filed by the state revenue
agent alleging taxes due on cotton
held for market or for other purposes
after February l, for a period of six
years. The Hemphill bill provides a
way for the termination of these
suits, and while there are doubts en-
tertaned as to the rights of the Leg
islature to invade the jurisdictions
of the courts, or of matters pending
therein, there is an undoubted senti-
ment among a majority Of the law
makers against the imposition of
taxes on agricultural products.
The tenor of these messages to
members of the Legislature is that,
regardless Of the legal and constitu-
tional questions involved, the bill
should pass. The aggregate of claims
now pending is estimated at several
millions OF dollars, and if enforced
by the courts would spell ruination
to numbers of men and firms within
J the state, it is claimed.
The House committee on judiciary
today reported favorably, by good
I majority, the Senate bill to provide
for recodfication OF the laws, con
! stitutional and statute. of the state
of Mississippi, that may be in force
and effect up to Dec. 81, 1915. While
/. the favorable recommendation by
the committee may not guarantees
the passage of the bill through the
House, its chances there are consid-
cred favorable.
The fact that the bill provides for
salaries at $4,000 each to each Of the
three commissioners, may have a de-
terrent effect on the low pressure
contingent, and the hackers of the
,, measure are not over-confidant on
that account.
Another highway bill was under
consideration, but owing to its length
and highly technical phraseology
and the conflict Of important matters
Of present moment and interest, this
was not completed today II passed,
Mississippi will have a state highway
law as sound and workable as any
state in the country.
II The fight between the "low pres
;, sure brigade" in the House and the
high pressure contingent in the
, Senate became acute today when the
= Senate by a vote Of % to IL, refus-
ed to recede from its position in
lcreasng the common school appro-
: priation $4,000 more than the
amount fixed by the House. The
- Senate rejected joint committee re-
= port recommending the adoption OF
= the amount fixed by the House. and
! the two bodies are deadlocked on
, the question.
:, The House adopted the Senate res
= ortion providing for an investisa-
ton of the state land office, and also
. the Everett resolution to meet on
. The afternoons Of Monday, Wednes-
day and Friday. The motion to table
:, the motion to reconsider the anti
= lobbying bill was carried. The mo-
= \ zion to reconsider the Spears dog IL
c.rse bill also was tabled.
- The house passed the full crew
; bill, after accepting committed
- amendment striking out reference
to electric trains, and placing the
number of cars to be operated with
: out an extra flagman at 50 insteaC
=. : Of forty, with two additional flagmer
for a train of hundred ears OF
- more.
The bill seeking to reduce prem
ium taxes on Insurance companies
- but raising the license, was passed
l, Insurance Commissioner 7. NJ. Henr!
was invited to discuss the bill, an'
said il would give a definite sourci
of revenue from insurance compan
! les and meant an increase of abou
~ ~ S25, 900 annually The bin apples {
-" only life insurance companies.