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Heritage Edition
0The Sea ^oast iEcho
POST OFFICE BOX 230 BAY ST. LOUIS, MISSISSIPPI 39520 TELEPHONE AREA CODE 601 467-5474
August 10, 1979
Senator Martin Travis Smith Post Office Box 393 poplarville, Miss. 39^70
Dear Senator:
Re:	Request	for	an	Opinion
from Attorney General Summer on legality of Contract of Gift of 13 vol. Bay St. Louis City Minutes to Dept, of Archives and History.
It was very pleasant talking with you over the phone last evening, and I thank you for your interest in and concern over my question:
(1)	Did the wording of this contract deny Freedom of the Press?
(2)	Were the officials who signed the
contract exceeding their authority when they gave	away minute books
that belong to	the City of Bay St.	Louis?
As explained to you, I appeared before the City Council on Tuesday, August 7, 1979 and read to them a prepared message, copy of which is enclosed for your perusal.
And another copy of which is on file at the City Hall.
This morning I told Mayor Bennett of our conversation, and he expressed gratification that you plan to be in Bay St. Louis in the near future to discuss this matter with him.	He also told me	that he would write	to	you
today	with	the request that	you obtain an opinion
from the Attorney General.
Again, I thank you for your interest and guidance.
Sincerely,
CC Mayor Larry Bennett
end - Report given City Council on 13 Vol. Minute Books