Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-02-07
HOUSE-AFrEENooN SESSION.

Mr.. Morris, of Wayne, took the chair and called
the House to order: Mr.. Richardson having the
floor addressed the House on the Law Reform Bill
He would not say any thing On the subject, but
for the fact that one of bis colleagues had made Law
Reform, question in the late canvass The ques-
ton had been fully and ably discussed by gentle
men who had preceded him; and the comparison
of the operation of the two system had been clear
ly set forth, and he therefore considered it less
necessary to extend his remarks but he had taken
ground against this proposition in the canvass, and
he felt it his duty to take ground here in opposition
TO the Bill. He would confine his attention to two
points, viz: That the people, as was asserted, de-
manded the Reform; and secondly that the reason
why they asked it, was want of confidence IN the
Judiciary of the State that the operation OF the old
system was injurious, proved too much and if that
argument were good in this case it would be equal
ly good against trial by Jury, and against sessions
of the Legislature, for they also erred at times
The cry Of v0C p0puii, COr Del, was common cry
in the mouths of demagogues agrarians and level
ers; and with these words in their mouths the raD-
bic crucifed the Saviour, Caesar destroyed the lib
critics of Rome and Napoleon grasped the imperi-
al crown Of France. But it was said the people
had not confidence in the Judiciary. Mr.. r. re-
PEELED the allegation, and paid handsome tribute
to the eminent and distinguished Jurists past and
present who had adorned the judgment seats in
this State
But the framer Of the bill said the people wanted
this bill because they could not get justice in the
present courts: and lie (Nr. RI had been Informed
that the wise and sagacous head that had made this
notable discovery was legal gentleman, judge of
some little distinction; but who, also, as ne had heard,
was gentleman who sometimes emptied his ink on
his paper instead of his sand, put on his socks
wrong side out, and wore his right boot on his left
foot Q4aughter) lie would tell gentlemen that
these were demagogues, who to that cry of "r0g
pOpuE,' added the cry of down with the courts
down with the judges-down with everything con-
sentative" whose whole thought was Of conveying
lines, and ladders and progress, and that the Peep
demanded it all; getting decidedly on
very fast line. Why thus tear up things by the
roots, when no good reason can be given for it
He denied that there was any Of this outcry for re-
form in lis county, and many gentlemen in this
House were similarly situated He believed that
the whole ofths movement was more or less intend
ed for Buncombe. Mr.. r. remarked further that if
any lawyer under the existing laws, would suffer
his case to be thrown out of court for want of FORM
the lawyer himself ought to be thrown out for want
of sense
And the que ton being on Mr. Coopers motion
to indefinitely postpone the bill, the motion prevail
ed ayes, 35 noes, 81.
Mr. Odell entered motion to reconsider the vote
and Mr.. Clemens moved to take up the motion
which was agreed to, and the motion to reconsider
failed. Ayes 80; noes, Sc So the House refused
to reconsider and the bill was indefinitely post
poned.
On motion of Mr.. Harrington the House took up
a motion to reconsider the vote rejecting the bill
to increase the saary of Judges and made it the
special order for Monday next
Mr. Lane moved to refer to the committee on
Claims the petition Of J. B. Smith Agreed to-
The House then took up Senate messages, md |
made them the special order for tomorrow at 2 |
o'clock.
The House then took up the Calendar OF
HOUSE BILLS ON THIRD READING.
The bill to charter the South Carolina, Tennessee
and Kentucky Railroad Company, with an amend
nent charterng the Sommerville Daucyville SC,
Railroad Company-passed.
The bill to authorize the investment of certain
moneys in State bonds Mr.. Lamb explained the
object Of the BILL and offered amendment in lieu
md on motion of Mr. Carroll, the bill and amend
nent were recommitted.
The bill TO refund moneys to Saml Williams for
duplicate payment on certain lands-passed
The bill to define the boundary lines of Upton
md Shelby; motion to reconsider, pending which,
Mr. Holmes argued in favor of the motion to recon
ider. He had been astoniehed at the vote, and !