The Bolivar County Democrat. (Rosedale, Miss.) 1887-1969, 1922-11-11
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE
STATE. CAPITAL.
BY r. r. BirdsaII

benevolent organizations, and others
interested in the change in the
mortmain section, to the constitution
under the initiative and referendum
amendmblt to the constitution de-
clared null and void by the supreme
court, are reported as expressing
much pleasure at the action of the
court. They state that there was no
doubt but what the initiative amend
ment for change of these sections
allowing persons to will money and
land and other property to churches
schools and benevolent institution
would have been ratified at the Nov
ember election, but they also confess
that the unconstitutionallty of the
referendum amendment perse was
inevitable sooner or later and that
| lands, money and other valuable
Things W1lled to churches, schools and
benevolent institutions would have
been lost to such institutions they
say the wills in such donotions would
nave been successfully contested
sooner or later,-as a result of the
holding OF the initiative and reteren-
dunn amendment to the constitution
null and void and that untold confu-
sion would have resulted, coupled
with hundredes of thousands and per-
haps millions of dollars loss to col
leges, schools, churches and benevo-
lent orders
The supreme court has advanced
the case wherein Circuit Judge Wiley
H. Potter decided that Governor
Russell had a right to remove State
Henry for alleged embezzlement. The
argument in this case which is on ap-
peal from the circuit court by Henry,
will be heard December 13 and as 1t
is preference case, as are all cases
in which the state is interested,
decision in the matter by the supreme
court may be expected at an early
date after argument is heard.
In the meantime, Commissioner
Henry holds his office. Should the
supreme court confirm the decision
of Circuit Judge Potter, 1t Is under
stood that automatically he goes out
of office and Excel Coody appointed
by the governor VINO brought quo
warranto proceedings against Com
missioner Henry will take charge
Official circles in Jackson do not
seem to attach any Importance 70
talk of an extra session of the legis-
lature and visitors from all parts Of
the state say that the people look
with apprehension upon the calling OF
an extra session of the legislature
not only from the angle of expense,
perhaps running into hundred
thousand dollars or more, with no
compensating results from a sitting
of that body.
1t has been pointed out that very
few extra sessions have been held
since the carpetbaggers were routed
in 1875. The records show that there
was no extra session called from the
eeXit of Governor Ames in 1876 until
the entrance of Governor McLaurine
in 1896.
McLaurine called an extra session
to build a new state house which
wrangled over plans and specifica-
tions and other matters and finally
the bill that was passed was vetoed
by the governor.
There is no time limit on an extra
session of the legislature. 1t would
cost the state over thousand dol
lars day and it might remain in
session Indefinitely. 1t could only
consider matters mentioned in the
call of the governor of the session
or submitted to the legislature after
the calling of the session. The con-
stitution gives the extra session the
right to investigate state officers and
to prefer Impeachment proceedings.
and once assembled the legislature
might remain in session until time
to plant next spring. At an extra
session members of the legislature
are paid by the day.
It may be stated with confidence
that the supreme court on Monday
next will hand down it's opinion In
the case of State Revenue Agent
Stokes y Robertson against the me-
insurance companies of Mississippi.
These are the cases on appeal IRON
the decree OF Chancellor V. j. Strick-
er in which said fire insurance COM
panies were penalized over $S,OOO,-
100000.
II is understood that an effort was
made to get the decisions ready Tor
Monday, but on Saturday afternoon,
the clerk of the court. w. j, Buck,
was authorized to announce that no
decision was to be handed down last
Monday.
Poultry Show Planned.
Meridian, Miss.-Lauderdale coun-
ty's midwinter poultry show, which
will be staged at the courthouse, Dec.
and 8, is expected to outclass the
poultry show held at the Mississippi
Alabama fair, according to MISS hath-
crime Staley, home demonstration
agent.
To Stage Cotton Drive.
RIue Notwithstanding on Nov.