Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1918-03-29
EXTRA SESSION IS
NOT IMPROBABLE
MORE THAN $1,000, 900 HAS BEEN
VOTED BY PRESENT STATE
LEGISLATURE.
REVENUE CAUSES WRANGLE
Sources From Which the Revenue 10
to Come Still Confront SoIons.
Four Millions More May Be
Tackled on.

Jackson.-Both houses of the Miss'=.
sippi Legislature were running under
forced draft last week. with the idea
in view of completing all fiscal legis-
iation possible preliminary to winds g
up this class of work within the coz
stitutional five days. This object
could not be attained, as the results
showed, and the usual subterfuge for
getting around that little scrap Of pa
per called the constitution was adopt
ed. The legislature has done we'll in
the matter OF appropriations. having
already put through more than $10.-
100000 in bills that have become law.
and in addition there are others that
will add three or four millions more
to the sum.
But the very important feature Of
legislation on hand which still re-
mains to be disposed of is that In re-
which to meet the sums appropriated.
This must be decided before adjourn
ment, and the oft-repeated cry of the
economists and alarmists, where are
we going to, get the money!" must be
answered.
The House of Representatives has
gone on record In this matter by pass
ing bill fixing the ad valorem tax
levy at six mills on the dollar for 1918
and 1919. This is an increase ovpr
the present basis of four mills, under
the act of 1917, and that is the pas,s
(. for which 1t is said the governor and
si.is ADVISERS OF the state tax commits
sion are insisting.
The governor has let it be known
in plain terms that he would veto any
bill providing for an increase in tho
ad valorem rate. The senate major.
ity seems disposed to knuckle down ~
this demand having refused to pass
a six-mill rata and even gagged at a
compromise rate of five mills, which
was suggested At the present time
1t seems as If the governor holds the
trumps. as 1t was stated quite posi-
lively that he had reiterated his de-
mand for the lower rate.
There Is an impression prevailing
that the revenue-getting atmosphere
may be cleared up in few days. just
which way, whether to stick to the
five or six-mill basis and then put the
onus on the governor for vetoing the
increase, and incidentally causing be-
fore the present year has expired an
other extraordinary session, which
Wnn1d actoh1ioh 60 ,sv sxI
administration since reconstruction
days.
There is still mass of general leg
islation on both calendars, but much
of this will either be indefinitely
POSTPONED or fail to reach a hearing
on the calendar
Speaker Sennett Conner Of the
house Of representatives was host to
his colleagues at dinner given by
him complimentary to the men whom
he has SO ably and strongly led dur
ing the first two years of his legis-
lative experience There was no poll.
tics in the gathering In any way or
sense. 1t was the young speakers de-
sire to meet his colleagues socially,
and he desired to do this just now
before they begin to break up for the
session. Altogether it was one of the
most enjoyable social events OF the
present session. and q genuine ex-
change of greetings and affectionato
farewells.
Governor After Tax Dodgers.
AS the legislative session draws to
close, Governor Bilbo bombards the
lawmakers almost daily with spe.
cial message. usually referring to
some recommendation made In his bi-
ennial address at the beginning of
the session.
The latest gubernatorial appeal has
reference to q recommendation that
q provision be inserted In the revenue
laws giving right of appeal to the
state where property has been undor.
valued on tho assessment rolls.
The governor believes that the
state should have the same right as
the individual where the fixing ii
property values is concerned, and h
believes that If this clause is inserted
In the revenue laws it will have
salutary effect in preventing ts
lodging.
Thus far neither house has seen I'll
to incorporate this recommendation in
the form of bill. and 1t will take
some quick work to .get it through
before tho final adjournment.