Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-10-27
TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE
sENATE-xoRHlSe srssiox.

SENAiE-EoREtNe SESSION.
Saturday, Oct "a.
Mr. GoFF: bill for Constables to serve Sub
penas, Sc, in certain cases. Referred.
Mr. BRATCHER: bill TO change the line between
the counties of Campbell ana Scott. Passed first
reading.
Mr. HEISKELL. q resolution that the Comptrol-
Ter be requested to furnish q statement Of the
amount and value Of al taxable property in the
State assessed for the year 1857 by counties far
as practicable at this time; Rules suspended and
resolution adopted
select committee on the State Library adopted.
The resolution of Mr. REID directing the Rail-
road Commissioner to prepare map to accompany
his report was adopted.
Mr. BRATCHER returned biIIEto repeal the law
suthorsing Grand Jurors to send for witnesses in
certain cases.
MIR GO0DPASTURE: said he could not, entertain
ing the views that he did, give his vote in favor of
any bill which would in the least abridge the nquis
itorial power now given to Grand Jurors in this
State. There was probably no Law upon our statute
books which does more to suppress wee and immor-
atty than the inquisitorial power There is large
class of offenders against the Laws of our State,
which does not effect individuals as such, but the
whole community; this class of offenders are rarely
ever prosecuted, unless prosecuted by the Grand
Juries they 60 unpuished.
These offenders do more to corrupt the morals OF
the youth of the country than otherwth which
are afflicted. Take from the Grand Juries this
power in cases of tipping, disturbances of public
worship &C.. and the offenders will go UNPUBLISHED.
What is every bodys business IS done by none, and
this class OF offenders are permitted to violate the
Law with impuniiy; to corrupt the morals of our
children; disturb our families at church; gambling;
violating the sabbath, and other offences which go
hand in hand. The good orderly citizen is unwil-
ling the displeasure of so reckless class
of community by marking himself as prosecutor
He had rather see the power of Grand Jurles en-
larged than restricted They are the officers chosen
present crime They act in their official capacity,
and should have nquisitorial power and 1t should be
their duty to exercise il to the fullest extentln all
cases where the community as such, is effected by
violations of the law, and not as individuals.
Even Grand Jurors are frequently insuted and
abused by violatcrs of the Law. When this Is the
case could it be expected that the good, orderly cti
zen would be wllingto incur their disPleasure and
bring on himself this abuse and insult, when he Is
no more interested in the matter than any other
eitzen2 1t was his desire to protect the morals of
society save youth of the country from the ruinous
effects of vice and intemperance. He was opposed
| to the bill and all of the amendments
On motion of Mr. HELSKELL the bill and amend
ments we're postponed until Tuesday next
Senate bill providing that in all cases where de-
fendans are acuuaitted in criminal cases, the State
shall pay costs was rejected on second reading.
Yeas atcher, Denton, Gof Harris, Heiskell,
Jones, Ross, Welcker, Wright and MIR. Speaker
! Burch--l0.
Ndys-Brown, Bulen, Davis, Goodner, GoOdpas-
ture, HILL Menees, MoDougal, Reid, Roach, Travis,
| WhitthOrne.--l2.
Mr. BULLkN entered motion to reconsider.
Mr. JONES moved that Senate take up House res
outiOn in relation to the Inauguration of Gov Harris
and moved that the resolution be incurred in Agreed
to.
The Speaker appointed Messrs JONES, ROACH
and WALKER. to wait on Isham G. Harris and in
| form him Of his election and ask what day would
suit his convenience to enter the duties Of his office
Mr. DAVIS withdrew the motion entered by him
to reconsider the vote ordering the printing Of 500
copies of Mr. COOper's Report.
Mr. HEISKELL withdrew the motion entered by
him to reconsider the ordering the printing of
500 copies of Meig's Report.
Mr. BULLEN said as the gentleman fromWash-
ingtton, Mr.. HARRIS had come here through much
tribuation he movedthat he be excused from making
motions to adjourn.
Mr. HARRIS: provided the gentleman from
Greene Mr. BULLEN1 will make them for him.
On motion the Senate adjourned until Monday 10
o'clock.