MISSISSIPPI. 



525 



on the last day of the session, May 13th. 

 There were many complaints on the part of 

 the Democratic minority that the division into 

 districts was unfair, some counties having, it 

 was alleged, less than the proper quota of 

 inhabitants receiving a representation, wherein 

 a large portion of the population was colored, 

 and others, where there was a predominance 

 of whites, being joined with the neighboring 

 counties. An attempt was made to secure to 

 each county at least one representative, but 

 this failed. 



A bill to repeal the law which allows the 

 Governor to fill temporarily vacant town, 

 county, and district offices, was vetoed. The 

 message of Governor Alcorn, giving his rea- 

 sons for withholding his sanction from this bill, 

 was taken up mainly with an argument to show 

 that the original act was not unconstitutional, 

 and was needed at the time of its passage. 



An act was passed incorporating the "Plant- 

 ers', Manufacturers', and Mechanics' Associa- 

 tion of the State of Mississippi," for the pur- 

 pose of holding fairs, and securing concerted 

 effort for the development of the material in- 

 terests of the State. The first State fair of 

 the Association was held in December, and 

 was quite successful. County associations 

 were authorized by the Land Act, and meas- 

 ures have been set on foot for their organiza- 

 tion in different parts of the State. 



The following amendment to the law regu- 

 lating inns, hotels, and public-houses, was 

 adopted, the vote in the House being 42 to 38 : 



SECTION 9. If any person or persons, keeper of 

 any inn, tavern, hotel, or any public-house in this 

 State, where a license is paid, shall refuse to keep and 

 accommodate any person in his, her, or their house on 

 account of race or color, he or they shall be guilty of 

 a misdemeanor, and shall forfeit his, her, or their 

 license to carry on any such business, and shall be 

 fined in the sum of not less than one hundred dol- 

 lars, or not more than one hundred and fifty dollars, 

 to be collected before any justice of the peace of the 

 county where the crime is committed, one-half 

 of the money to be paid to the prosecutor, and one- 

 half to the School Fund. 



The following resolution was also adopted 

 by a vote of 62 to 28 : 



Resolved, That it is the sense of this House, that 

 the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth amendments 

 to the Constitution of the United States have been 

 legally and constitutionally ratified, and are now 

 valid and binding to all intents and purposes ; and 

 any effort or attempt, let it come from whatever 

 source it may, to interfere with, or to question in any 

 manner, the legality or constitutionality of the rati- 

 fication of either or said amendments, deserves the 

 condemnation of the American people. 



Resolved further, That we regard the act passed 

 by the national Congress to enforce the right of 

 citizens of the United States to vote in the several 

 States of this Union, and for other purposes, as being 

 a wise and judicious measure, believing as we do 

 that the peaceable enjoyment of the elective fran- 

 chise and all other rights pertaining to citizenship is 

 the only condition upon which the removal of disa- 

 bilities can be secured. 



There was no election for State officers this 

 year, but quite an exciting canvass took place 



for the election of members of the Legislature. 

 The question was raised at the last session of 

 that body as to whether it was " a new Legis- 

 lature, or the second session of the first Legis- 

 lature under the new constitution." It was 

 finally decided to be the old Legislature in its 

 second session, and an election was ordered, 

 to take place in November. The Republicans 

 held a general convention at Jackson, on the 

 30th of August, at which a central committee 

 was chosen, and the following resolutions were 

 adopted : 



Resolved, That, recognizing the principles as set 

 forth in the Kepublican platform, and exemplified 

 in the general policy adopted by the present National 

 Administration as of binding force, we do hereby re- 

 affirm those principles, and measures, and laws, which 

 have been adopted to carry the same into effect. 



Resolved, That we favor the lowest taxation that 

 will maintain an economical administration of the 

 State government. 



Resolved, That we will maintain a liberal system of 

 free public schools, and secure equal advantages to 

 all, irrespective of race, color, or previous condition. 



Resolved. That we indorse the Kepublican Admin- 

 istration of the State of Mississippi, and that in the 

 approaching campaign for thia fall, recognizing his 

 Excellency Governor James L. Alcorn as our stand- 

 ard-bearer, we pledge our united and earnest support 

 in defending the principles of the Kepublican party, 

 and in bearing its standard on to an assured aiia 

 glorious victory. 



Resolved, That, having secured the blessings of 

 universal suffrage, we will continue our efforts as a 

 party in this State to secure the speedy adoption 

 of universal amnesty. 



The Democrats held no State Convention, 

 but entered earnestly into the canvass in the 

 various counties, and the leading men of both 

 parties discussed the principles and claims of 

 their respective organizations at numerous 

 public meetings. The election occurred on 

 the 8th of November. Of the 36 Senators, 

 18 were chosen at this election. That branch 

 of the Legislature now stands, Republicans 22 

 and Democrats 14. A full House of Represent- 

 atives was elected, and that body now consists 

 of 54 Republicans, 32 of them colored, 50 Dem- 

 ocrats, and 2 independent. There was no 

 election in two counties. Of fifteen district 

 attorneys chosen, eight were Democrats and 

 seven Republicans. 



After the election the question was raised 

 whether it was special or general, and hence 

 whether county officers were to enter at once 

 upon unexpired terms, or to begin full term 

 on the first Monday of January. The Attor- 

 ney-General gave it as his opinion that all 

 officers elected in November should qualify at 

 once and enter upon the discharge of their 

 duties. This opinion, he said, was based on 

 the law regulating elections, which provides 

 that officers of counties and of districts of 

 counties, shall immediately proceed to qualify, 

 without commissions, and that their term of 

 office "shall date from such qualification." He 

 says: 



I had considered this law constitutional : first, be- 

 cause the constitution evidently intended an early 

 termination to that abnormal condition of affairs 



