Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-02-08
HOUSE-ArrERsooS Session.

TUESDAY, Feb. T.
Mr. Speaker Wisener called the House to order
at o'clock.
Mr.. Richardson reported bill to charter the
Cherokee Mining Company correctly enrolled.
Mr.. Harris moved call of the House. which
was ordered, when it appeared that Is members
were absent and on motion of Mr.. Mcknight, the
doorkeeper was dispatched in search of absent
members.
Mr.. Lamb moved to postpone the special order
until tomorrow at 2 o'clock; refused.
Mr.. Mcknight moved to indefinitely postpone
the special order, being the Omnibus" with Sem
ate amendments.
Mr., Bullen moved to suspend further proceed
ings III the call of the House; refused; and on mo-
ton of Mr. Morris, of Wayne, the Clerk proceeded
to call the absent members.
And Mr. Buford moved to dispense with further
proceedings of the call.
And the question being on Mr.. McKnigAt's mo-
ton to postpone the special order inde6nitely-on
which Mr.. Buford made some remarks. Ii the
House entertain this motion and pass it. the House
would stultify itsel-it would be direct thurst at
the other House Of the Assembly-the true ques-
ton is shall the House agree disagree to Senate
amendments-to postpone indefinitely now, would
be disrespectfu to the Senate; he thought the mo-
ton to postpone was clearly out of order.
The chair sustained Mr.. Buford's views, and de-
cided accordingly
Mr. Mcknight argued on the opposite side, and
! appealed from the decision of the chair. 1t was
well known that this bill passed by very doubt
| full najority--ony one-whilst it was notorious
that several opponents Of the bill were momenta-
rily absent and were not allowed to record their
votes when they returned.
Mr. Buford replied to Mr.. Mcknight on the
question Of order. This House. according to its
rules, has no control over the body of the bill,
| but only over the amendments engrafted on it by
| the Senate. After some sparring between Messrs.
| Odell aud Mcknight, tho House sustained the de-
cison of the chair, and Mr.. Meningitis motion to
postpone ruled out of order ayes, So noes, II.
And the question then arose on agreeing to SEN
ates amendments to the Omnibus Bill, and the
| amendments proposed were read, and taken up in
order. The first amendment including bridges in
East Tennessee, over Clinch, Holston and other
| rivers; to which Mr.. House moved disagreement
| Mr.. Chambliss moved to amend the amendment
by inserting "hlk RIVER ruled out of order.
| Mr.. Stewart offered an amendment including
| the Nashville and Knoxville Railroad in the provls-
| ions Of the act. And Mr.. Harris moved the pre-
vious question; and Mr. Buford, having leave, made
| some explanations to the actual condition of the
| question as governed by the rules of order. The
call for the previous question was sustained, and
! the main question on agreeing to the Senates
amendment as to the bridges above mentioned be-
ing put it was agreed to; ayes, a6, noes, SO.
The next amendment extending the act to the
Mississippi and Tennessee Railroad within this
State agreed to.
The third amendment extending time to the
| South Western Raldroad, to come within the pro-
visions of the act was agreed to.
The fourth amendment that this act shall take
effect from and after its passage; agreed to.
The fifth amendment to amend the charter OF
the South Western Railroad, SO as to extend it to
Winchester, &c, with the benefit of State aid and
of the provisions of the acts granting such aid and
Mr.. Smith, Of Davidson, called for the ayes and
noes-disagreed to; ayes, s; noes 81.
Mr.. Brown, of Monroe, moved to transmit the
bill and amendments to the Senate
Mr.. Stewart moved to reconsider the last vote
taken, rejecting the 'Decherd' road, which motion
was taken up.
Mr.. Stewart wanted that road in, so that the
Omnibus should be as full as possible.
Mr.. Odell replied to Mr. Stewart, and after some
remarks, to which Mr.. Stewart rejoined,
Mr. Mabry, of Warren, rose and requested to,be
heard on the subject. He had, since he here,
been convinced of the propriety Of sustaining
Judlcous system of internal improvements. He
was opposed to the 'Decherd" road not only be-
cause the gentleman from Smith &C., was in favor
Of it, but because his constituents were opposed
to it.
Mr.. Stewart withdrew his motion to reconsider,
and the motion to transmit to the Senate was
adopted; ayes A, noes "a.
Mr.. Lucas moved to reconsider the vote Just
taken, and the motion being taken up,
MIR. Butord made some remarks on the haste and
excitement which had characterized the action of
the House this afternoon on the Senate amend
ments. He was sorry to see this, and he hoped
the House would not put these amendments out of
their reach until they had time to give them fair,
candid and deliberate examination. The subject
was one of too much importance to be disposed of
so hastiya subject which in less than three years
would affect the interest of the whole State, from
Carter to Shelby. He thought we were acting |
hastily and unddvisedly. There is time for all |
things, and he deprecated this hasty action. At |
the last session, system was adopted, and now, |
instead Of going on to finish these roads, every |
member wants an appropriation for road IN his /
own section. He warned gentlemen not to act like |
the in the fable, who killed the goose that laid
the golden eggs He believed our present system
a good and wise one but to extend it with this |
wild rapdity, approprlating funds for bridges in all
time to come injuliciOus and wrong. He |
thought those amendments should be reserved for
further consideration.
Mr. Cook followed in reply. He thought men,
bers had had sufficient opportunities to examine
these amendments. They had beeu here for a
week, and the members had heard them discussed
IN the Senate.
Mr.. Cook moved the previous question, but the
,all was not sustained.
IsMr. Lucas explained his object in moving a re-
consideration. He had done so for the purpose of
having a final decision of this question, and not
lave this bill hampered here for days, as had been
ecently done with another bill.
MIR. House was opposed to the course pursued in
citation to these amendments which had been pass
ID without discussion under the gag of she previ-
us question. The motion to reconsider should lie
ver, and let the House have time to think what
hey were doing.
Mr.. Brown, of Monroe denied thatthe House had
otE acted with full knowledge and understanding
the subject He could not be made to believe
therwise, Why then keep the bill hanging here .
ON day to day. Is it for the sake of generating
nd blowing off "gas" on this subject? I
Mr.. Smith, of Davidson, saw no use in having I
lle if every member could on an important ques-
on, lay aside the rule, and put ont of the reach
the House an important measure, which the rule
eeps within the power Of the House for two or
ree days. He agreed with Mr.. House, that more :
me for reflection should be given on these amend 70
ents. If they stand investigation, they will OF
lss if not the decision Of the House ought to be 70
versed Pt
Mr.. Lllard followed in reply to Mr.. Smith, and o.