The vidette. (Iuka, Tishomingo County, Miss.) 1912-1967, 1922-02-23
NEWS AND VIEWS
From The
STATE CAPITAL
By f. r. Birdsall
BY f. X. Birdsall

There are mud streets an three sides
of Mississippi's new $l,O0O,0OO capitol,
and citizens and taxpayers of the state
have wondered since its construction,
in 1908, why this matter has been
neglected or overlooked by the legis-
lature. A BIN is pending in the house,
introduced by Representative Pate CT
Kinds, which seems to be very popu-
lar, which provides for such paving.
When the new capitol was erected
only one elevator was installed, be-
cause of lack of funds, though the
shaft was provided for the same Mem
oers of the legislature who are coln-
PEELED to ride up and down on one e.e-
yator, which is also used as a freight
elevator, are wondering if the state
bond commission is not authorized to
install this additional elevator out of
the 100000 which they have been
handling.
Miss Belle Kearney, candidate for
the United States senate who recently
asked the other candidates, Vardaman
and stephens. to join her in appeal to
the legislature asking for the enact
ment of law to fix a reasonable max
imum which candidates could spend in
primary campaigns. from each of
whom she obtained an affirmative re.
ply, has sent the letters of these gen
tlemen to each branch CT the legisla
ture, accompanied by letter from
herself urging that such legislation be
had. A bill regulating this matter is
pending in both houses and the indi.
cations seem to be that the majority
Of the legislators in both branches
will favor such reform legislation.
There has been a great deal CT talk
of quiet nature during the past sew
eral days over the checking of lnsur-
ance Commissioner Thomas M. Henry
short some 100000 a month ago by tho
state revenue agent, Stokes V. Robert
son. The general belief now is that
Irregularities in that office will wholly
justify the report Of the state revenue
agent on its affairs. In fact some Of
the commissioners friends now admit
such Irregularities, and within the next
few days perhaps even before this is
printed, the matter will reach cul-
mination and action will be required
by the governor, and suits will follow.
There is quite a legislative rush on
this week, which under the constitli-
ton have the right of way, and which
have only recently come from commit,
init hn fnp L.
stated that great many bills have
been slaughtered in the various com
mittees of the two houses which neces-
sarily has consumed much time, as it
requires the same consideration to de-
termine on the part Of committees
whether to report a bill favorably or
adversely. Manifestly the legislature
individually and collectively have con-
cluded to speed up, in order to hasten
adjournment
The resignation of George R. Ed.
wards, railroad commissioner from the
middle district of Mississippi, who had
been impeached by the house, stopped
the proceedings. Mr. Edwards has
been state treasurer and railroad COM
missioner for many years. He entered
public life as the private secretary of
John Sharp Williams. Mississippi Is a
rock-ribbed prohibition state and news
papers and others are saying that no
man should be allowed to hold office,
state or federal, who is a drinking
man.
District Attorney Browning has filed
suit against the life insurance ccm.
panies in Mississippi under the anti
trust law seeking to recover for the
State $S9,000,000. That the states does
not expect to recover this amount or
any amount in this suit is obvious. It's
purpose, undoubtedly, is to crystalize
sentiment to secure action by the Leg
islature which will do away with the
state revenue agents suit against the
fire insurance companies.
In addition to the senatorial and con-
gressional nominations to be made in
August, II chancellors and IL circuit
judges are to be nominated. Announce
ments are apparently being proscrasti-
mated because OF pending legislation
looking to cutting down some of the
districts or to changing them.
The house committee on fees and
salaries cutting the compensation of
state officials, judges and other Off
Gals on the state pay roll, together
with stenographers and clerks, $50,
seems to have been anticipated pretty
generally. The salaries OF all persons
on the pay roll were Increased two
years ago about $50.
Bills are pending to abolish the Of
flee of railroad commissioner and to
impose its duties upon some other
public utilities to be provided.