Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1922-03-16
NEWS AND VIEWS
The
STATE CAPITAL
By F. r. Birdsall
BY F. r. Birdsan

crease 1t. 1t stands at nine mills, and
some members had hoped to reduce it
to seven, but talk is current now
among legislators that it may be nee
essary to increase the levy to ten mills.
There seems to be no prospect of an
appreciable decrease in the appropria-
tions from the session of 1920, and it
is pointed out that an additional ap-
preparation must be made to pay the
interest on the 100000 bond author
lied two years ago for public improve
ment under the direction Of the bond
ing commission.
The Roberts bill introduced in the
senate does not embody any of the
drastic features asked for by the wo-
mems national party, but provides for
the removal Of disabilities and limita-
tions imposed by the laws of Missis-
sippi on account of marriage, and that
women shall have the same rights,
privileges and immunities granted by
the laws of the state to men, except
the right to serve on juries, which
Senator Roberts thinks may be pro-
vided, after proper accommodations
are had at the various court houses of
the state for the comfort and conven-
fence Of women jurors.
The restlessness of members of both
houses is greatly accumulated on
bright, sunshiny days. The expression
Is common that too much time Is be-
ing lost and that the legislature should
cut out all extraneous matters, and
pass revenue and appropriation bills
so that the members can buy railroad
tickets. 1t is barely possible, expert
enced Legislators say, to adjourn by
April 1, if longer sessions are had, and
less talk is INDUCED in.
The fees and salaries committee Of
the senate had not on Monday report
ed the house bill which slashed the
salaries Of all state officials, all judges
and chancellors, district attorneys and
employees of all kinds right and left.
The committee is understood to have
had several meetings and hopes by
the middle or latter part of the week
to make its report. Whether a new
bill will be substituted or salaries
raised by the senate, seems to be the
two questions under consideration.
The senatorial race for the nomina-
ton of the August primary seems to
be taking on some life. Mr.. Stephens
is campaigning in south Mississippi,
Miss Kearney will speak at Crystal
Springs on March q, and begin cam
paign tour thereafter, and the Varda-
man club of Jackson is holding weekly
meetings at the courthouse, at which
speakers from different parts of the
state, largely senators and representa-
tives, address it.
Speculation widely varies as to prob
able date of adjournment of the legis-
lature. 1t has been in session for
about two months and a half and very
little legislation of general charac-
ter has been enacted. No revenue bill
had reached the governor of any i'm
portance up to Tuesday of this week.
Many sessions of the legislature, it is
stated by members, have finished their
labors and adjourned in less time than
this one has been in session.
The chamber of commerce and 9th.
er civic organizations here are making
for 40 al
versary of the capital city. Jackson
was named for Andrew Jackson and
has been the seat Of government of
the state Of Mississippi for a hundred
years. Those who have the matter in
charge state that program of inter
est to all Mississippians is being ar
ranged.
There seems to be an even chance
that reapportionment of the IL cir
cult court districts in Mississippi may
be had, and reduction of districts to
perhaps fourteen or fifteen accom-
plished. This matter was allowed to
rest for some time, and has been re.
vived in the senate by Senators East,
Nixon and others, who believe that
such legislation should be had.
The house and senate seems to be
still hopelessly deadlocked on the
Of county officials. The
senate favors the fee bill with limita.
tons, and the house favors a salary
bill. One house or the other must
surrender its views before an agree
ment can be reached and q good deal
Of stubbornness seems to be shown
at both houses.
The bill offered by Representative
Mitts OF Lee taxing dogs, which failed
Of constitutional majority Of three
fifths being revenue measure, on
which a motion was made to reconsid.
or, has not yet been called up,
In the sixth district there are four |
candidates for the John
son succession in congress. These are
Collins and Wilson Of Jones, Lee OF
Pearl River and Evans Of Harrison. In
The seventh district Quin is being op-
posed by Wall OF Lincoln with a pos
sibility Of other entries, and In the