USA > Mississippi > School history of Mississippi; for use in public and private schools > Part 24
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THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA
ings of Claiborne county, and by Dr. G. S. Roudebush of the Agricultural and Mechanical College. The papers of the State also turned their attention to the subject. Finally the legislature passed a bill (1884) by a majority of only one in the senate, incorporating the Mississippi Industrial Institute. This school was located at Columbus. Under the wise direction of Professor R. W. Jones, its first presi- dent, the school gained at once the confidence of the people of the State, 341 students being enrolled the first session. This was the first institution in the United States to be established for the industrial education of young women.
414. Last Visit of Jefferson Davis to Jackson .- In re- sponse to an invitation from the legislature Jefferson Davis made his last visit to Jackson in March, 1884. No man has ever received a more hearty and enthusiastic welcome to the capital of the State than that extended to the aged · and highly honored ex-President of the Confederacy. Ac- companied by the governor and the justices of the supreme court, he entered the representatives' hall, where the legis -. lature had assembled in joint session to receive him.
He made a brief address expressing his deep interest in everything affecting the welfare and honor of the State and the happiness of its people. He expressed his strong attachment to the State in the following words :
" Sectional hate cannot deprive me of that privi- lege which is nearest and dearest to my heart-the right to be a Mississippian ; and it is with great gratification that I receive this emphatic recognition of that right by the representatives of our people.
" Reared on the soil of Mississippi. the ambition of my boyhood was to do something that should redound to the honor and welfare of the State. The weight of many years admonishes me that my day for actual service has passed, yet the desire remains undiminished to see the people of
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Mississippi prosperous and happy ; her fame not unlike that in the past, but growing gradually brighter and wider as years roll away."
415. L. Q. C. Lamar .- In 1885 L. Q. C. Lamar* entered President Cleveland's cabinet as Secretary of the Interior, being succeeded in the senate by General E. C. Walthall. For more than a quarter of a cen- tury Mr. Lamar had been prominently identified with the political history of the State, having been for three years (1873- 1876) the only Demo- cratic member of the lower house of Congress from Mississippi. In 1876 he was elected to the L.2. C. Lamar. United States Senate to succeed James L. Alcorn, and filled this position with great distinction for several years (1876-1885). He held his seat in the cabinet until he became a member of the Supreme Court of the United States (1888), which exalted position he filled until his death (1893).
* He was born in Georgia in 1825, and educated at Emory College. For a period of six years (1850-'52, 1866-'70) he was a member of the faculty of the University of Mississippi. Before the outbreak of the War between the States he had served in the State legislature (1853) and in the lower house of Congress (1856- 1861); he resigned the latter position to become a candidate for the secession convention. He entered the Confederate army as lieutenant-colonel. His health failing, President Davis made him Confederate envoy to Russia. For a full account of his life see Mayes' Lucius Q. C. Lamar; His Life, Times and Speeches.
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416. Legislative Act of 1886 .- The session of the legis- lature of 1886 enacted a law which greatly improved the public school system of the State and increased its power for good. A local option law was also passed, which au- thorized each county to determine by a vote of its citizens whether or not the sale of intoxicating liquors as a bever- age should be permitted.
417. Judicial Changes .- Judge H. H. Chalmers, who had served nine years on the supreme bench of the State, died at Jackson in 1885. Governor Lowry appointed Judge James M. Arnold to take his place. Judge Arnold re- signed in 1889, and was succeeded by Judge Thomas H. Woods of Meridian.
418. Death of Jefferson Davis .- In December, 1889, Jef- ferson Davis died at New Orleans. Numerous ceremonies, held in honor of the dead warrior and statesman in the towns and cities throughout the South, gave unmis- takable evidence of the high esteem in which he was held. Officers, private citizens and military organizations from all parts of the South attended his funeral at New Orleans. Every Southern State sought the honor of providing a place for his final burial. It was finally decided that the honor should be bestowed upon the State of Virginia, and that he should be buried in the capital of the Confederacy, which had been the scene of his faithful services in behalf of the "Lost Cause."
419. Progress of the Public Schools .- When the carpet- bag government was overthrown in 1876, the public school system was left undisturbed, " except in the way of some economic reforms." It grew in favor with the people year after year. The report made by Superintendent J. R. Pres- ton to the legislature of 1890 gave evidence of extraordi- nary improvements during the two school years that had just preceded. It showed that there had been a very satis-
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MISSISSIPPI MILLS The beginning in 1811 Incorporated to special Act of the Legist
(356)
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THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA
factory increase in the enrollment and average daily at- tendance of students, in the establishment of schools and the building of schoolhouses, and in the number of teach- ers that had stood examination for first grade license. In this brief period of two years nearly two thousand monthly institutes for teachers had been held; the State Teachers' Association had been revived, and three district associa- tions organized.
420. Industrial Development .- The industrial develop- ment of Mississippi had been no less remarkable than its · educational progress. At the United States Centennial Exhibition, at Philadelphia (1876), the Mississippi Mills at Wesson,* and the Whitfield Manufacturing Company at Corinth, received first honors on several classes of their goods. Although little effort was made to prepare ex- hibits for the Louisville Exhibition (1883) premiums were taken that amounted to over $3,000. At the World's In- dustrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition at New Orleans (1884-1885) the Mississippi exhibits were generally con- sidered superior to any other in the Government Building. Between 1882 and 1890 more miles of railroad were built in the State than had been built in the fifty years preceding. In the decade between 1880 and 1890 the population of the State increased from 1, 131,597 to 1,289,600-an increase of 13.96 per cent.
* This celebrated manufacturing establishment was first built (1865) by Colonel J. M. Wesson, in what was then a dense pine forest in Copiah county. The place was named Wesson in honor of its founder. It has since grown into a prosperous city. The first factory was destroyed by fire (1873), but was promptly re- built on a larger scale. The products of its looms are shipped to every part of the United States and to foreign countries.
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Summary
1. Colonel John M. Stone became governor of the State when the carpet-bag government was overthrown in 1876. He was made governor by vote of the people at the next regular election in 1877.
2. In Governor Stone's first administration (1876-1878), (1) public confidence was restored; (2) taxes were reduced; (3) many wholesome changes were made in the judiciary; (4) Sharkey and Quitman counties were organized; (5) L. Q. C. Lamar was elected United States senator to succeed James L. Alcorn.
3. In Governor Stone's second administration (1878-1882), (1) the State was visited by a disastrous yellow fever epidemic; (2) the Agricultural and Mechanical College was established; (3) the representation of the State in the lower house of Congress was increased to seven members; (4) Timothy E. Cooper was ap- pointed on the supreme bench to succeed James Z. George, who had resigned to enter the United States Senate as the successor of B. K. Bruce.
4. In Governor Lowry's first administration (1882-1886), (1) a railway commission was created; (2) the Delta region suffered from an overflow of the Mississippi; (3) the State University opened its doors to women; (4) the Industrial Institute and College was established; (5) Jefferson Davis visited Jackson for the last time; (6) E. C. Walthall was appointed United States Senator to succeed L. Q. C. Lamar, who entered the President's cabinet; (7) James M. Arnold was appointed on the supreme bench to succeed H. H. Chalmers, deceased.
5. In Governor Lowry's second administration (1886-1890), (1) the public school system was greatly improved; (2) a local- .option law was passed; (3) Thomas H. Woods was appointed on the supreme bench to succeed James M. Arnold, resigned; (4) Jefferson Davis died.
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PERIOD II .- UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF 1890 (1890-)
CHAPTER XL
A DECADE OF PROGRESS (1890-1900)
421. Administration of Governor Stone (1890-1896) .- In 1890 Robert Lowry was succeeded by John M. Stone as governor of the State. The Constitutional Convention of 1890 extended Governor Stone's term two years,* as it did those of the other State officers, making them expire in 1896. The well-merited honor thus fell to Governor Stone of filling the exalted position of chief magistrate of the State the longest period (twelve years) of any gov- ernor except David Holmes.
422. Creation of Pearl River County .- The legislature of 1890 formed Pearl River county out of parts of Hancock and Marion. The legislature had authorized the formation of this county some time before, but the law was afterwards repealed, as it did not then meet the approval of the people.
423. Constitutional Convention .- In accordance with an act of the legislature ratified February 5, 1890, the fourth constitutional convention in the history of the State met in Jackson August 12, 1890. It was composed of one hun- dred and thirty-four delegates representing every interest in the State. Among them were many men of wide expe- rience and of profound knowledge of the needs of the State.
* The following State officers were elected on the ticket with Governor Stone: M. M. Evans, lieutenant-governor; George M. Govan, secretary of state; J. J. Evans, treasurer; W. W. Stone, auditor; T. Marshall Miller, attorney-general, and J. R. Preston, superintendent of public education.
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Judge S. S. Calhoon of Hinds county was chosen presi- dent, and R. E. Wilson of the same county, secretary. The convention adjourned November 1, 1890.
424. Constitution of 1890 .*- The most important fea- tures of the constitution of 1890 related to the requirements for votingt and the method of conducting elections.1 An- other important clause made provision for the educational needs of the State." Certain officers were made ineligible to succeed themselves.3 Decided restrictions were laid upon corporate legislation,4 yet liberal terms were granted to new factories.5 The constitution also placed restrictions upon the leasing of convicts,6 and provided for the pur- chase of State farms at the discretion of the legislature.7
425. James Z. George .- James Z. George,į who was in the United States Senate, was especially requested to leave his duties at Washington, Congress being then in session,
* This important document is given in full in the Appendix, and should be carefully studied.
t See sections 240-253.
1See Ordinances, Secs. 1-16. 4See Secs. 178-200; also, Sec. 95.
2See Secs. 201-213. 5See Ordinances, Sec. 31.
3See Secs. 134-135. 6See Secs. 223-226.
7See Ordinances, Sec. 26.
¿ James Z. George was born in Georgia in 1826, and came to Mississippi when only eight years of age. He served in the Mexican War as a member of the First Mississippi Regiment. He then began the practice of law in Carroll county. He served as reporter of the High Court of Errors and Appeals several years before the War between the States, and prepared and published a digest of all the decisions of the High Court of Errors and Appeals and of the Supreme Court of the State from 1817 to 1870. He was a member of the secession convention. He entered the Confederate army as captain, was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general of State troops, and was later made colonel in the Confederate States army. In 1875 and 1876 he was chairman of the Democratic State Executive Committee. and did much to overthrow the carpet-bag government in Mississippi.
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A DECADE OF PROGRESS
and become a member of the constitutional convention. He · did this, and his wise counsel in the convention gave ample evidence that the people had not overestimated the value of his services. In the session of Congress following the meeting of the convention he rendered a still more conspicuous service to the State by his reply to the criticisms that were made on the floor of the Senate against the new constitution of Mississippi. He was reelected to suc- ceed himself in the Senate (1892) and continued to serve in that body until his death (1897).
426. E. C. Walthall .- In December, 1890, Sen- JAMES Z. GEORGE ator Walthall* made an able speech in the United States Senate in opposition to the Federal elections bill. It was largely through his efforts that the bill was defeated, and the South saved from the horrors of Federal interference with elections. In 1891
* E. C. Walthall was born in Richmond, Va., in 1831, and came to Mississippi in early life. He began the practice of law at Coffeeville. For several years he filled the office of attorney for his judicial district. In 1861 he entered the Confederate army as lieutenant. Within the brief period of one year (1862) he was promoted to the office of lieutenant-colonel, then colonel, and then brigadier-general. In 1864 he was made major-general. It is said that General Joseph E. Johnston once stated that " if the Confed- erate war had lasted two years longer, General Walthall would have risen to the command of all the Confederate armies." In 1871 he removed to Grenada, where he remained in the successful practice of his profession until he entered the United States Senate (1885).
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he announced his intention to retire from the Senate, but the people of the State induced him to reconsider and to accept the office for an- other term. He was ac- cordingly reelected (1892), and continued to hold this important position until his death, in 1898.
427. Financial Condi - tions .- At the beginning
E. C. WALTHALL
CONFEDERATE MONUMENT AT JACKSON
of this period a shortage of over $300,000 was found in the accounts of W. L. Hemmingway, who had been the treas- urer of the State for sev- eral years. About the same time the people of the State became greatly embarrassed because of the fact that the price of cotton fell to a point that was below the cost of production.
428. Unveiling of the Confederate Monument .- In June, 1891, the monument erected at Jackson to perpetuate the
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A DECADE OF PROGRESS
memory of the soldiers and sailors of the State who fell in the War between the States, was unveiled. The ceremony was performed in the presence of twenty thousand people, the veil being lifted by Master Jefferson Davis Hayes, the grandson of the ex-President of the Confederacy. The monument was erected principally through the efforts of
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MILLSAPS COLLEGE (MAIN BUILDING)
the patriotic women of Mississippi. On top of the shaft is the figure of a Confederate soldier, and in the vault is a life-sized statue of Jefferson Davis. The monument, in- cluding the vault, bears several appropriate inscriptions.
429. Code of 1892 .- The new State constitution made provision for the appointment of three commissioners "to draft such general laws as are contemplated by the consti-
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HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI
tution, and such other general laws as shall be necessary and proper to put into operation the provisions thereof, and as may be appropriate to conform the general statutes of the State to the constitution." This work was ably per- formed by Robert H. Thompson, George C. Dillard and Robert B. Campbell, and was submitted to the next session of the legislature (1892) for its action.
430. Millsaps College .- In the autumn of 1892 Millsaps College, located at Jack- son, opened its doors for the reception of students. It was established by the two conferences of the Methodist church in Mis- sissippi, and was named in honor of Major R. W. Millsaps, its principal benefactor. Although the youngest college in Mississippi, this school has taken high rank among the educational institutions of the State, and has had a remark- A. J. MCLAURIN. ably successful career.
431. Administration of Governor McLaurin (1896-1900). In January, 1896, Anselm J. McLaurin was inaugurated governor of the State .* He was born and reared in Rankin county. He graduated at Summerville Institute in 1867, and began the practice of law at Raleigh. Mississippi, in the
* The following State officers were elected on the same ticket: J. H. Jones, lieutenant-governor; J. L. Power, secretary of state; A. Q. May, treasurer; W. D. Holder, auditor; Wiley N. Nash, attorney-general; A. A. Kincannon, superintendent of education.
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A DECADE OF PROGRESS
following year. He was elected attorney of his judicial district in 1872. He served in the State legislature two years (1879-1880), and in the constitutional convention (1890). In 1894 he was chosen to fill out General Walthall's unexpired term in the United States Senate, and at the con- `clusion of his term as governor (1900) was elected to the United States Senate for a full term, beginning in March, 1901. In 1897 Hon. H. D. Money* was appointed to suc- ceed General George in the Senate of the United States.
432. Spanish-American War .- The principal event of Governor McLaurin's term was the war between the United States and Spain, which affected Mississippi in com- mon with the other States of the Union. This conflict was caused by the misrule of Spain in Cuba and the hostility shown by that nation towards the United States. In response to the calls of President Mckinley, Mississippi raised two regiments of volunteers, but the war ended before the troops from the State could reach the scene of hostilities. The First Regiment was placed under the com- mand of Colonel George M. Govan of McComb City; the Second Regiment under the command of Colonel William A. Montgomery of Edwards. A battalion of a third regi- ment (six companies) was placed under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Robert W. Banks of Jackson.
433. Yellow-Fever Epidemics .- In 1898 and the year fol- lowing, the State suffered greatly from yellow fever epi-
* H. D. Money was born August 26. 1839, in Holmes county, Mississippi. He was educated at the University of Mississippi. At the beginning of the War between the States he entered the Confederate Army and continued in the service until September. 1864, when he was forced to retire because of defective eyesight. He represented his district in the lower House of Congress from 1875 to 1885 and from 1893 to 1897 when he succeeded General George in the Senate of the United States. Before this time however (January, 1896), he had been elected by the Legislature of the State to the United States Senate for the full term, begin- ning March 4, 1899. He was re-elected to this position in Janu- ary, 1903.
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HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI
demics. The rigid quarantine regulations which followed the appearance of this disease interfered not only with com- merce but with travel throughout the Gulf States.
434. Educational Progress .- Under the wise direction of Hon. J. R. Preston, State superintendent of education (1886-1896), the schools of Mississippi made speedy and permanent advancement. In the execution of the law which provided for uniform examinations for teachers the superin- tendent raised the requirements for licenses to teach and greatly elevated educational standards in the State. By the timely aid received from the trustees of the Peabody fund supplemented by liberal legislative appropriations, county institutes and summer normal schools for teachers were conducted throughout the State. Under the able direction of Hon. A. A. Kincannon and Hon. H. L. Whitfield still greater results were achieved before the close of the decade to which this chapter is devoted.
All of the State institutions for higher education received liberal grants of land from Congress, which enabled them to increase their facilities and to enlarge their usefulness.
Summary .
1. In the last administration of Governor Stone (1890-1896), (1) a new constitution was formed; (2) the Confederate monu- ment was unveiled at Jackson; (3) a shortage was found in the accounts of the State treasurer; (4) the people of the State became greatly embarrassed because of the low price of cotton: (5) a new code was adopted, and (6) Millsaps College was founded.
2. In the administration of Governor McLaurin (1896-1900), (1) Mississippi furnished two regiments and a battalion of vol- unteers for the Spanish-American War; (2) the State suffered from two epidemics of yellow fever; and (3) Senators George and Walthall died.
3. The public schools of the State were greatly improved by the adoption of uniform examinations for teachers and by the establishment of teachers' institutes and summer normal schools.
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A DECADE OF PROSPERITY
CHAPTER XLI
A DECADE OF PROSPERITY (1900-1910)
435. Administration of Governor Longino (1900-1904) .- A. H. Longino was inaugurated governor of the State in January, 1900 .* He was born and reared in Law- rence county, and was educated in the schools of that county and at Mississippi College. After graduating at col- lege, he was elected cir- cuit and chancery clerk of his native county. He then studied law at the University of Virginia, and began the practice of his profession at A. H. Longino. Monticello. He was ap- pointed Federal district attorney by President Cleveland. At the expiration of his term of office he removed to Greenwood and continued in the practice of law until * The following State officers were elected on the same ticket: James T. Harrison, lieutenant-governor; J. L. Power, secretary of State; J. R. Stowers, treasurer; W. Q. Cole, auditor; Monroe McClurg, attorney-general: H. L. Whitfield, superintendent of education; Wirt Adams, revenue agent; E. H. Nall, land com- missioner; E. W. Brown, clerk of Supreme Court; John D. Mc- Innis, A. Q. May, and J. C. Kincannon, railroad commissioners.
J. L. Power, deceased. was succeeded by J. W. Power (1901) ; Monroe McClurg, resigned, by William Williams (1903) ; J. R. Stowers, resigned, by G. W. Carlisle (1901); G. W. Carlisle, re- signed, by T. B. Lampton (1902) ; E. W. Brown, deceased, by (}. C. Myers (1903).
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he received an appointment from Governor McLaurin as chancellor of his judicial district. At the time of his election to the office of governor he was living at Greenville.
436. Supreme Court .- In 1900 Judge Thomas H. Woods- resigned his position on the Supreme Bench and was succeeded by Judge S. S. Calhoon. Upon the death of Judge Calhoon (1908) his unexpired term was filled by Judge R. V. Fletcher, who was in turn succeeded by Judge S. M. Smith (1909). In 1910 Judge A. H. Whitfield and Hon. F. A. McLain were made Supreme Court Com- missioners (see $456), the unexpired term of Judge Whit- field being filled by the appointment of Hon. W. D. Ander- son. In 1903 Judge S. H. Terral was succeeded by Judge J. H. Price, who resigned in the same year and was suc- ceeded by Judge Jeff Truly. In 1906 Judge Robert Mayes succeeded Judge Truly.
437. Congressional Districts .- Under the census of 1900 the representation of Mississippi in the lower house of Con- gress was increased from seven to eight. The legislature accordingly made a new apportionment of congressional districts by an act which became a law in 1902.
438. Elective Judiciary Amendment .- The legislature of 1898 passed an act submitting to the people of the State a constitutional amendment providing for the choice of all judges by popular vote instead of executive appointment. The legislature of 1900 decided that this amendment had been adopted at the general election in 1899 and ordered that it be inserted in the Constitution. The Supreme Court held that the amendment had not been constitutionally adopted and that it could not lawfully become a part of the State Constitution .*
439. Loss of Great Men .- In March, 1900, a gloom was cast over the entire State by the death of ex-Governor J. M.
* An article on this subject by Hon. E. F. Noel will be found in Volume VIII. of the Publications of the Mississippi Historical Society.
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A DECADE OF PROSPERITY
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