The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-11-07
TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.

TUESDAY Nov. @.
Mr. Steele introduced a bill to incorporate the
jackson Building and Loan Association, which
passed first reading.
Also, bill to amend the criminal laws of the
State, which passed first reading and was referred.
The special order Of the day was then taken
up, and
Mr.. Bowles took the floor to discuss the bill to
change the mode Of electing the Keeper Of the
Peuitentiary. He concluded by saying he endorsed
the acts Of Gov. Johnson that he was against long
speaking and therefore made short one--only re-
markabe as being the fret one in which Gov. John
son and his iSHlS has ever been fully and openly
d0rsed. No doubt the Governor feels duly proud
OF the endorsement of the "onlettered" gentleman
from 0vertOn, as he calls himself
Mr.. Carter said he had intended debating this
question at length but on account of indispostlon,
and the fact that the Federal Court is in session in
another portion Of the Capitol in which he had sew
eral suits to attend be would not attempt this morn
ing to elaborate bis objections to the passage OF the
bill under discussion.
Mr. Fletcher addressed the Senate at some length
on the question. He said that although opposed to
the consumption Of the public time in unnecessary
speeches, he could not cOnstrain himself TO sit and
near the great party to which he belonged de-
nOunCed in terms more becoming the fish market
| than anywhere else. The discussion which had en-
sued, involved history Of democracy from the
time of Roger Williams, Washington, Jefferson,
! and jackson, even down to Andrew johnson. The
question before the Senate was simple one, and
the discussion had been irrelevant ana nappropri-
ate. II had been instgated by the minority report
of the gentleman from Coffee Mr.. Sheid) upon this
bill, which was political document, and which i'm.
pugned the motives of the American members of
! the Senate. This report had been brought up, and
demanded TO be spread upon the minutes as right,
while it could only be received through courtesy.
4 bot gpftl
Legislature a vehicle of political buncOmbe, and
this attempt had given rise to tbs proUracted dis
cussion, and the responsibility was therefore with
| the anti American side Of the Senate. Mr. +. pro-
ceeded In an able manner to review the boasts and
their foundation of democratic members IL regard
to the origin, history, and progress of the great
democratic party" and most eiectually Invested il
of the laurels which gentlemen with fertile magi-
nations had clustered around its name. He showed
that there is really no democratic party now, and
| he asked democratic Senators where they stood
| Did they belong to the Charles Sumner wing? Did
they belong to that portion OF the democratic par
| " which was now acting with the Sewardites, TO
| that branch under the lead of John Van Buren, and
| the Federal Administration, who had d Wilmot
! PrUvisO their "corner stone, and opposition to
slavery in the territories and to the admission of
new States with slavery constitutions under all cir
cumslances and to the last extremity yet TO the
democratic party Of Ohio, which occupied similar
position. Mr. F.'s argument in support Of the bill,
and in exposition Of the demagUgucal course pur-
sued in regard to the Pententary 10y the Governor,
was particularly effective. He defended the Peni-
| Tertiary system an improvement upon the whip
ping branding and cropping of the barbarOus ages.
Until its evils could be correCted-and it had evils
! which at present were unavoidable-Until some
philanthropist should suggest an improvement upon
! the system-it should be allowed to 90 and per-
| form It's benevolent offices unembaTassed. Hence
| he argued the propriety of placing its management
in the hands OF its friends-a proposition selt-evi
dent and ncontrovertble. Another reason why
the bill should pass the pursued by Gov.
johnson in nominating Inspectors two years ago
He reviewed the circumstances connected with this
extraordinary proceeding and stated the facts in
detail substantially as follows: Gov Johnson nom
mated the first Board, and those nominations laid
upon the Senate's table twelve days, giving every
Senator ample time to ascertain the character Of
the gentlemen named for this Office. They were
confirmed, and Gov. johnson, in his own room,
presented these gentlemen with their certificates,
and pronounced them Inspectors OF the Peniten-
tiary for the ensuing two years.
After some conversation in which the Governor
expressed his opinion that the officers OF the Pen
itentary should be taken elsewhere than from Da-
wilson county, the Governor finally said, in sub
stance: Gentlemen, it is useless to disguise the
subject any longer. | wish it distinctly understood
tndt atn ~ favor OF Mr.. w ute iOE heepeI OF the
Penitentiary. You can lay the blame if there is
any, entirely on me, aud if Davidson don't like it,
she may go to HI, and be ID" In the face
of this extraordinary speech, the Inspectors pro-
ceeded like iTeemen, and exercised th0r own udg
ment, and elected another man than Mr. White.
The consequence was they were arbitrarily thrust
from office 10y Andrew Johnson-because they had
the independence TO disregard the nod and beck of
the Governor. In striking contrast from this course
II A. ~. r
the nomination of Inspectors by Gov. n. S. Brown.
After his Inspectors had been formally indicted in
office, one of them approached Gov. Brown and
asked him if he had any friend he desired TO be
appointed Keeper OF the Penitentiary. Gov. b. 3
reply was" Yes, sir, have but would lose this
right arm before would indicate his name to you'll"
Here proceedings which reflected honor upon
the Governor of Tennessee. He stated all these
facts as historical, and upon his own responsibility
and he well aware that they could not be con
troverted.
The speech of Mr.. +. was one of the most efTec-
tive that has been delivered upon the question: and
was delivered in forcibe and eloquent language.
We regret that are unable to give more than
this meagre sketch Of it.
Mr.. Atkins followed in short speech and the
Senate took a recess for dinner.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Mr. Stokes arose and addressed the Senate on
the subject in debate, the bin to change the mode
OF eeeting the Keeper of the Penitentilry. After
he had concluded,
Mr. Dean moved an adjournment, but the motion
failed.
Mr. Brown proceeded to answer the arguments
by members in favor Of the bill While in the
midst of his argument
Mr.. Atkins moved an adjournment till to morrow
morning % o'clock. Which motion failed
Mr. Brown proceeded but gave way 10 motion
to adjourn ill tomorrow morning o'clock, which
motion carried.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
TUESDAY, Nov 6.
Messrs Tompkins, Little aud Wallace presented
petitions from merchants OF Rutherford, Bedford
and Anderson counties, the subjectof merchants
tax