Inaugural Address of Governor Vardaman
Jackson Miss January 19 synopsis of Gov. Vardaman's inaugural speech calling for white supremacy, opposition to negro citizenship, a restructuring of education for African Americans, and strong emphasis on state sovereignty, fiscal prudence, and immediate action to correct past errors. The speech urges constitutional changes to empower the legislature, expands convict labor oversight, and stresses the duty of Mississippians to support a disciplined, self-reliant citizenry.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jackson
Miss
Gov. Vardaman
Commonwealth
Mississippi
South
Demosthenes
Greece
Liam
Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln
Legislative Department
Mississippi Legislature Talks Bills and Resolutions
The Mississippi Legislature opened with 45 house bills and 22 senate bills, focusing on education and code tinkering. Key committee chairs, early bill aims on mortgages, rural schools, child labor, and militia costs were outlined as adjournment set for Tuesday morning.
Legislature opens with election results and clerkship race
The morning session featured the reading and ratification of November election results by Speaker Thomas after the State Official list. A special election for the Supreme Court clerk vacancy saw George C. Meyers elected marshal 95 to 28. Senate committees and a wave of bills followed, including seven school appropriations and five bills for a uniform text book system.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Thomas
Secretary of State Power
Supreme Court
Capt
E. W. Brown
George C. Meyers
W. J. Brown
Hinds
Mr. Meyers
Senate
Erect Carter
Legislature Falls Into Clash Over Joint Actions and Prison Visit
The house and senate showed friction over joint matters as the house voted 58 to 59 against visiting the new Sunflower convict farm with the governor and control board. The senate will travel alone by special train tonight, reaching Parchman prison by Thursday morning.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House
Senate
Governor
Board of Control
Parchman
Heidelberg
House Committee On Agriculture
Legislature Holds On An Unusual Session For School Funding
Lower house met while Senate toured the Sunflower convict farm. The Appropriations Committee proposed 1 125 000 for common schools excluding poll taxes, and a minority report urged 1 250 000 annual funding. The minority argues the higher sum is needed to cover four months and cites state prosperity. Passage likely when the bill is called. Greaves also proposed a harsher liquor penalty bill. No other major items arose before adjournment to Friday.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Senate
Sunflower
Messrs
D. L. Rose
G. S. Stevens
T. E. Williams
T. E. Caruthers
J. B. Caradine
S. N. Collier
Greaves
Caruthers
Jackson
Governor’s Mansion
Deaf and Dumb Institute
Old Statehouse
Fair Grounds
Capitol
Longino
Legislature Keeps Common School Funds At Current Level
The lower house refused to cut common school appropriations despite a constitutional amendment directing poll tax funds to schools. A $1,125,000 budget was debated. the minority sought $1,250,000, which passed nearly unanimously. The act brings about $1.55 million yearly with poll taxes included, not expected to be charged by the senate.
Local legislature adjourns as session pauses
The senate adjourned to Saturday and the house suspended business until Monday morning after several bills were introduced, many local or amendatory, with no further general-interest actions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lars
Senate
House
Back Tax Law Gounches Limited to Higher 1895 Cap
Legislative sentiment favors collecting back taxes that escaped assessment, with no interference against the revenue agent. The limit will rise from 1885 to 1895, and no further changes to back tax laws are planned.
Uniform Education Bill Likely To Be Passed
The article notes no anticipated fight over the school book question and expects a uniformity bill to be introduced and passed. It observes no lobby presence at the session and suggests legislators will face no lobbying annoyance.
Stricter Game Protection Bills Move Toward Passage
Several measures already introduced seek tighter game protection laws with strong sentiment to end wholesale slaughter of game. Provisions will also shield non game birds and animals from ruthless slaughter.
Prohibitionists push proposed liquor sale ban amendment
Prohibitionists are active and determined to push the proposed constitutional amendment banning liquor sales. A committee in charge will meet this week to adopt the measure for introduction soon. They claim a majority in both houses, though strong opposition is anticipated and smooth sailing is unlikely.
Mississippi court terms to be reorganized this session
The article notes that legislature action is likely to change chancery and circuit court term dates across most counties. It argues the current law is unstable and tinkered with, and new districts may be created, especially in the south. Northern judges favor possible term adjustments with bills to follow next week.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mississippi
Silver Cargo Highlights State Depositories Debate
Report describes a shipment of fifty three thousand dollars in silver from New Orleans subtreasury to the Mississippi State treasury in Jackson. The transfer involved wagons, horses, and five workers who loaded heavy sacks into the vaults, illustrating perceived inefficiencies in the system.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
State Treasurer's Office
New Orleans
State Treasury
Jackson
Capitol
Treasury
Mississippi Press Voices On Panama Treaty Ratification
Last week the country press praised Mississippi lawmakers for instructing the two U S senators to vote for ratification. They note the quick action and limited debate reflecting a strong state push to have the canal built promptly for national and southern benefit. The public focus shifts from the president’s stance on Colombia to securing canal construction assurances.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States
Mississippi
South
Colombia
Legislature Opens in Prompt, Businesslike Session
Speaker Thomas praised the house for readiness and expects many laws and quick adjournment as over 100 bills may move through committee. A new practice will have the benevolent committee visit institutions to assess needs before recommending appropriations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House
Thomas
Committee On
Committee On Appropriations
Too Prosperous to Economize Legislation in Favor of Higher Public Spending
The article notes a mood of broad public prosperity and rising business, predicting increased state funding for schools and pensions, higher salaries for officials and the judiciary, and ample appropriations for the new capitol. It portrays a legislature reluctant to cut expenses and ready to approve lavish budgetary measures.
Legislative halls improved with carpeted floors and seating shifts
The two legislative halls have clearer acoustics after carpet installation. House floor carpeting is temporary with rubber mats. Seats will be rearranged nearer the speaker and a Visitors' lobby planned for the rear to reduce earlier confusion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House
Senate
Legislative push on interest exemptions and usury limit
Lawmakers aim to exempt all money loaned at six percent from taxation and set a legal maximum interest rate at ten percent. Advocates argue tax exemption will ease lending and curb solvent credit perjury by capitalists while creating clear usury rules for rates above ten percent.
Sheriff Fees Fight Backed by State Officials
Opposition from sheriffs statewide grows against a House bill to repeal the current rule that foreign writs must carry the execution fee. Lawmakers hear letters from county sheriffs warning repeal would harm sheriffs financially, since fees cannot be collected from winning parties. Hinds County Sheriff cites losses of several thousand dollars on writs previously executed without fee recovery.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hinds
Coast legislators plan February coastal trip for state lawmakers
Coast members propose taking the legislature on a Gulf Coast tour visiting Gulfport Biloxi Mississippi City Pass Christian Scranton and other points then to New Orleans for Mardi Gras before returning by Illinois Central. They promise hospitality and aim to showcase the coast's progress to lawmakers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New Orleans
Gulf and Ship Island
Gulfport
Biloxi
Mississippi City
Christian
Scranton
Prohibition Drive Spurs Stricter Liquor Bills in Legislature
Legislators push new liquor laws as constitutional prohibition looms and calls grow for harsher rules. A Duncan bill targets railroad and express agents delivering liquor to minors, seeking to curb shipments even when orders bear minors’ names. Critics say agents lack authority to inspect contents, risking easy evasion by dealers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Duncan
Express
Judiciary Divorce Bill Sparks Lawmaker Debate
Senator Smith's measure to separate the judiciary from politics draws strong comments from lawmakers. Critics warn it may be unconstitutional as an abridgment of personal liberty, particularly restricting judges from campaign activity. There is general consensus that supreme and circuit judges should avoid politics amid the current political climate.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Smith
Stringent Vagrant Law Proposed in Mississippi House
W Calvin Wells Jr of Hinds introduces a bill to tighten vagrancy laws. The measure mirrors Georgia's Calvin vagrancy act and Alabama's recent law, aiming to push vagrants from towns to cotton fields and to secure swift passage.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
W. Calvin Wells, Jr
Hinds County
Georgia
Alabama
Wells
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