Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-12-15
TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
81 SATURDAY, December II, 1857.
The House journal of yesterday was read.
LAW REBORN

LAW REFORM.
Mr. THOMPSON, from the Joint Select COMMITTEES
on Law Reform, 20 whom the subject had been re-
ered reported In lieu Of sundry propositions, bill
ne 3f9) to abolish the present forms Of action in
the Circuit Courts Of this State, and TO adopt petit
ton and anwer in lieu thereof; which read,
passed the first reading, and $50 copies order
ed to be printed.
CLIFTON MASONIC ACADEMY.
Mr. KENDRICK introduced bill no 800 to in
corporate Clifton Masonic Academy which passed
the first reading.
THOMAS SHELTON.
Mr. BRADFORD, from the Committee on the Pen.
tentary, reported back the bill (49) for the relief
Of Thomas Shelton, with amendments, by way Of
bill in lieu. which was read and adopted, and the
bill passed the second reading
~ ~ ~ REVENUE
Mr. COOPER entered motion to reconsider the
vote of yesterday, the passage Of the Senate as
sessment bill
81 81 BANKS. ~
Mr. KING introduced bill no. S21) to prohibit
private banks and private bankers, and for other
purposes, which passed the FIRST reading.
SMALL oFFExsE Law.
Mr. BENTLEY introduced bill no. 322) to re-
peal the act Of Jan. TO- 1S48 for the punishment of
small offences, which was passed the frs. reading
cHAxcERY COURT AT cRossv1LLE.
Mr. LLOYD introduced bill (NO. 32S) to establish
Chancery Court in the county Of Cumberland, in
the town Of Crossville, which was passed the first
reading. IS
ADJOURNMENT OVER THE HOLIDAYS.
Mr. MARIs moved to take up the Senate's joint
resolution for the adjournment of the present
sion Of the General Assembly, from December % to
January 4, 1858.
The motion was agreed to, and the resolution was
taken up and read by the Clerk.
MIR JOHNSON proposed to amend by adding:
provided That no member officer Of this
General Assembly shall be entitled to their per den
and mileage during said adjournment, or any sddi-
THOMPSON resolution could not override
the law. The pay would depend on the claim of the
member
Mr. JOHNSON had offered it as a measure of re-
trenchment.
After further conversation
Mr. BRAZELT0N moved 10 lay the amendment on
the table; which was agreed to.
Mr. SENTER submitted q resolution in lieut. ad-
journ sine die on the 2lst inst. The same which he
had offered heretofore, and which he had withdrawn
for the purpose
On motion of Mr.. DAVIDSON, this resolution in
lieu was laid on the table, and the question recur-
ring on the adoption of the Senate's resolution.
Mr. RICHARDSON moved indefinite postponement,
but Withdrew it for direct vote whereupon
Mr. SCHAITTUU demanded the yeas and nays,
aud the same being ordered and taken-yeas 70,
nays 47-resulted as follows:
Yaas-Messrs. Algee, Anderson, Bicknell, BraEel-
ton, Bullock, Caldwell, Carter of Carter, Cooper,
Copeland, Davie, Dobson, Estes, Kendrick, King,
Lowe Maris, NeWbern, Rsulston, RoHles, Saunders,
Thompson, White of Hamilton, and Mr. Speaker
Donelson-23.
Nays-Messrs Bate, Bayless, Beale, Bentley, Ben
ton Blackburn, Bradford, Carter Of Hardin, David
son. Dunlap, Ew NJ, Frazer Fulton, Cannon, Col
laday Hamilton Harvey, Holmes, Ivie, Johnson,
Lackey Lamb, Lloyd, Mickey, Newman, Randolph,
Rsnshaw. Richardson, Roberts, Rose, Schmittou,
Seuter, Shrewsbury, Stovall, Taylor, Turner Of
Ro8ne, Wilson, White of Knox, Wood Vsughn-41.
Mr. ROWLES' name being called, ne explained
his vote as follows; On consulting the Journals of
the Legislative proceedings Of former sessions it
will be found that during the holidays no quorum has
been in atteL lnce for from fourteen days. At
the last session this was the for thirteen
or fourteen days. During this time no business was
done but TO meet and adjourn. Independent Of this,
if even q quorum, fifty MEMBERS should be present,
1 unwilling that bare majority of that number,
twenty should legislae and pass laws Of an i'm
portant character which will demand the cOasiders-
ZION of full house, seventy-fve Therefore, under
the circumstances vote for the resolution, with the
declaration that would take pay for the time COW
cred by the adjournment should the resolution pass
Mr. Speaker DONELS0N, when his name was
called ssid, he was a member Of the Legislature at
tie last session. attending to his post here regularly
through the holidays and that, from day to day, for
about two weeks, no business could be attended to
for want of a quorum. He then felt that the bust
ness of the Stale required the regular attendance of
members; but seeing that was not the case, and is
never likely to be, he compelled to admit, that
a resolution of this kind ought to be passed, and
leave IL to the pleasure of members to draw their
pay or not. He would cast his vote in the af6rma-
tive.