The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-02-22
"cAPT. SAM" IN THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ONE DAY FAITHFULLY.

"cAPT. SAM" IN THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ONE DAY FAITHFULLY.
Nashville, Feb. ID, 1856.
Mr.. Editor: In my letter n few days since,
had only time to give you n brief and hasty
sketch of the proceedings of the American
Convention during the day. At night, John
Netherland, of Hawkins, made n tip top
speech; and was followed with eloquent
speeches from John A. McEwen, l.. NJ. Tenn
pie, James Mullen, Burton and Rains. All
was union, harmony and concert of action,
and we adjourned in fine spirits, resolved to
stand by our principles in the coming contest
and fully believing that a triumphant victory
awaits the American party of Tennessee in
November next,
weit to the Capitol next morning, and
John b. Cobb, our gallant md handsome
Joint Representative, being absent, and being
rather good looking myself, it was decided
that could "fll the BILL" so "pitched in,"
took his seat, and "filled it to the best of my
skill and ability" Many of your readers are
no doubt anxious to know what our Repre-
sentatives are doing; they commence late,
touch light, and quit early. Any man who
has observed the manner of transactng bust.
ness in our County Courts can form II very
correct idea of the way that they do business
in the Legislature. Sometimes they are all
excited aud in confusion, and n half dozen
contendng for the floor, and all speaking at
once. At other times, one man will make
speeches for "Buncombe," whilst the re-
mainder will read newspapers and smoke CT
gars. But more frequently, some half dozen
will be transacting business, whilst the bal
ance are talking and laughing, toastng their
shins around the stoves, and paying no at
tention TO what is going on. Most generally
about twenty members are absent, and
learn that all the members have never been
present at the same time. No matter wheth.
er a member spends his time here or at home
he draws the "four dollars a day." The Leg
isla.ure will adjourn on the Sd of March, and
have been in session 1855 days. They could
very easily have done all the business in one
third of the time, which is a strong argument
in favor of limited sessions. The people
are justly indignant at this protracted session,
from the fact that but little has or will he
accomplished that is calculated to enhance
the general interests Of the public. The
present Legislature will cost the State about
| han
taxpayers, who are compelled TO draw this
money out of their pockets, should hold their
Representatives to strict accountability for
the way they spend their time and tho PEG.
pies money, more especially as they are lib
orally compensated for their services. Gen.
tlemen aspiring to legislative honors may
congratulate themselves that they are not
members of the present august assembly"
So much time has been squandered in doing
nothing, that they are now compelled to hold
night sessions in order to accomplish the
: business necessary TO be done before they
adjourn. There are some talented, efficient
and Industrious members in both houses, but
a large number are ordinary men in; fact, they
are erira. ordinary. But in this connection
! am proud to say that more courteous
aflablc, impartial and gentlemaniy Speaker
than Neill S. Brown never presided over
Legislative assembly. Our Representative
from McMinn, James C. Carlock, ESQ.,, ha
distinguished himself as an efficient and in
dustrious member, always at his post, an,
! generally voting for the interest of the PEG
!. pie, except when he is led astray by the "di
e verging and convergng lines Of Jacobs Lad
r der!" .r. ..
; The "Transfer Bill" is expected to com
~ up in n few days. Hon. Wm.M .Churchwel
. President of the Knoxville and Kentnck
;. Company, is here, using his influence to Sc
!, cure It's passage. As an evidence that yo
were right in charging that there was "pr
n vate speculation" at the bottom of this Tran.
Of fer Bill, Churchwell has been exhibiting sp,
It cimens of his Stone Coal; and under his il
is fiuence Eastman, Of the Union, has come OF
h for the transfer, in order to influence III
IN Democratic members, but EastInan's int
8 ference and dictation is publicly denounce
ID by prominent Democrats, and am confder
that 1t will, be defeated, unless they maj
y age to connect il with some other importaI
IL measure.
!. Since writing the above, the bill has con
up, and Moses White,the Representative fro
Is Knox, defended it, md assaulted the charact,
I'd of the citizens of Athens, charged them wi,
70 Ignorance, aud penurious, enyious dispos
ton, and said that oil the opposition to b