1.7 SXEmacs Mode Lines

When used in a windowing system, the SXEmacs modelines can be dragged vertically. The effect is to resize the windows above and below the modeline (this includes the minibuffer window).

Additionally, a modeline can be dragged horizontally, in which case it scrolls its own text. This behavior is not enabled by default because it could be considered as disturbing when dragging vertically. When this behavior is enabled, the modeline’s text can be dragged either in the same direction as the mouse, or in the opposite sense, making the modeline act as a scrollbar for its own text.

You can select the behavior you want from the ‘Display’ submenu of the ‘Options’ menu.