The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1920-02-11

Outside OF the passage or lew
private and local measures very lit
tie has been done by the legislature
during the past week. A great many
of the law makers have been absent,
either on account of sickness or for
other causes, and the business seems
to be dragging. Speaker Conner and
Lieutenant-Gove Casteel have
both been sick and absent from their
posts OF, duty, and Speaker Conner is
still confined in local hospital on
account of his indisposition.
BOND ISSUE SPECIAL ORDER FOR
TODAY.
The House decided Monday that it
would make the Pate bill for an issue
of 25,000,000 in bonds for good
roads the special order for~its session
Wednesday. 1t seems that the plan
to make the Highway Commission
elective has been abandoned. and
that the friction that heretofore con-
fronted the author of the bill has
been eliminated. This bill carries
with 1t provision for the collection
of tax of two cents per gallon upon
gasoline, and the funds thereby col
lected are to be used to help defray
the payment of the bonds and inter-
est thereon. Since the elimination
of all political features from this bill
there is no question of its passage.
AS soon as this fund of 5000, 900
becomes available, the Federal Gov
ernment will contribute a like sum
and the state will have available
for the purpose of constructing good
roads throughout the state the enor-
nous amount of $50,00O,000 to be
expended upon its highways.
LEVEE COMMISSIONS TO BE
ELECTED.
The concurrent resolution of Mr.
Sillers of Washington to amend the
constitution by providing for the
election of the Levee Commissioners
with the exception of the Commits
sioner representing the Yazoo & Mis-
sissippi Railroad Company, by the
people of the State, has been passed,
and this is another measure that will
have to be voted upon at the general
election this fall.
TWO SESSIONS DAILY.
The eagerness of some of the law
makers to get through and get back
to their homes was made manifest by
the resolution of Mr.. Gore of Web
ster that all standing committees re-
port all bills as soon as possible af-
ter action on them in the committees,
and providing that the House hold
two sessions each day for the purpose
of disposing of all such measures re-
ported back to them. This bill was
laid upon the table subject to call
in its order.
LINCOLN'S REPRESENTATIVES.
Leave of absence has been granted
to Rep esentatiVe Moak on account
of illness.
Representative Vernon made q
speech in the House few days ago
on one of the educational bills that
was -faEorably commented upon by.
the press of the state.
Senator Cohn, as Chairman of the
Senate Judiciary Committee is taking
an active part in all of the delibera-
tions of that body. Being a lawyer
of ability, Senator Cohn is doing
good work in his committee and upon
the floor of the senate.
COMPULSORY EDUCATION.
By vote of IS to 40 the House
tabled the Wilroy amendment to the
compulsory education bill Tuesday af
ternoon. This action by the House
seems to insure the passage of the
measure giving to Mississippi sys-
tenn of compulsory education. This
is one of the most important meas
ures that has been introduced in the
Legislature during the present ses-
sion.
SALARY BILL SET for THURSDAY
The Committee on Fees and Sala-
ries of. the Senate reported with am
endments the House bill re-arranging
the state salary scale, and upon mo-
ton Of Senator Nixon of Pike this
bill was set as for special order next
Thursday.
The House committee on Peniten-
tiary reported favorably on the sale
of the prison farms, known as Oak.
ley, Rankin and Belmont.
PENSION BILL.
The House almost unanimously
passed the bill providing for the
payment of pensions to all Confeder-
ate veterans, soldiers and sailors,
who were honorably discharged and
are now residents of this state. The
bill provides for two classes of pen
sioners. First Glass pensioners are
to receive $4,000 per year and the
second class aie to receive $4,000
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