Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-02-10

Mr GOLLADAY made speech.
hr WILLIAMS next obtaining the floor, gave way
for motion to adjourn till to-mOrrOE morning, 9
o'clock; snd, accordingly
The House adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
THURSDAY, Feb. 4, 1858.
The journal Of yesterday was read.
SCHOOL FUSB.
The petition from the citizens Of Henderson coun-
ty, from the Senate, with reference to amendment
Of the COnstitutiOn-srticle X, section 10-in
gard to the distribution Of the common school fund.-
being read
On motion by Mr. SHREWSBURY, it was referred
to the Committee on Education snd Common
Schools.
HAMILTON COUNTY JUDGE.
Mr. WHITE of Hamilton introduced bill CNO.
426) b establish and regulate the Office of County
Judge in the county Of Hamilton, which was passed
the first reading.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
On motion by Mr. BICKNELL, (by unanimous
consent the House lookup The bill from the Sen
ate 1881 to regulate weights and measures-and the
ing.
On motion by Mr. BULLOCK, it was referred to
the Committee on Ways and Means.
CLERKS AND ASSESSORS
Mr. EWING moved for unanimous consent to take
up the bill 394) directory to clerks and assessors
authorized to set off land to new owners upon
proof being made and the same being accorded,
the bill was taken up, considered and passed the
second reading.
On motion BY Mr. BULLOCK it was referred to
the Committee on Ways and Means.
PUBLIC Roads
Mr. JOHNSON moved for unanimous consent to
take up the bill QO4) to equaliae the labor and
pense of keeping up the public roads and highways
and the same being accorded, the bill taken up
L county courts may apPortiOu hands to district,
and levy tax Of dollars:
Mr. BULLOCK moved to FIJI the poll tax blank
with: "nOt exceeding Sl.50;" which was agreed to.
Mr. B. moved TO fill the other blank with not
exceeding Z" 10 cents on the one hundred dollars
which was agreed to.
Mr. GRIFFITH moved to indefinitely postpone
the bill, as amended.
Mr. JOHNSON supported the bill by sundry con
notwithstanding the injustice and inequality of
the existing laws, which exempt over As years,
and nonresident land owners whilst it requires the
labor Of the poor to make and keep up the roads
This bill proposed to adopt the road systenhs of
Pennsylvania and Virginia, and which had operated
well wherever adopted. 1t left entirely di lcre-
tionary with the county courts, which made it en-
tirely local matter.
Mr. BICKNELL would offer No objection
Mr. GRIFFITH. It was at legst doubtful policy
and he was opposed to experiments.
Mr. BULLOCK stated the leg al operation Of the
bill Some counties it would suit very well, and
some it would not suit. Its provisions we're not
forced upon any. It's terms were, if in their jndg
ment it should be proper, they may do it. It was
true that in some counties, property did not con-
tribute equally to keeping up the roads; and it was
beyond dispute, that property generally had the
most use for roads. The bill would adapt itself to
the varied conditions Of the country, and injure
nobody. He should propose an amendment requir-
ing security for the faithful application of the
funds received for road purposes.
MrCOPELAND pointed out some hardships which
the bill would work-the case oF retired, poor old
men-the influence of the road tax question into
every local magistrates election. He hoped it
would be postponed.
Mr. ALGEE had introduced resolution calling
upon the Committee 10 introduce bill on this subject
He defended the justice Of its provisions and point
ed out the defects Of the present road system.
Mr. DOBSON approved the principle Of the bill;
but did not think it conld operate equally upon
wealthy and poorer districts. he suggested amend
ment for a general tax for road purposes.
ftMr JOHNSON said the whole was left to the dis
erection Of the county court.
Mr. DOBSON did not know how this would ope-
rate. He wanted road system that would give no
room for lodging, 80 IS 10 throw tho burden IN
equally on the labor and poor of the country.
"a Mr. SCHMITTOU thought the bill could be amend
ed so as to meet all objections. He suggested that
the question Of road tax Dug ht TO be left to the
people Such was the law in tue State Of Virginia.
Mr. LACKEY and Mr. DAVIDSON proposed to
amend.
Mr. GRIFFITH. It was wholly defective. It
taxed the poor laboring man 70 dollars, whilst my
negro boy was only taxed one dollar, Sc.
81 Mr. LACKEY propossd's AN an iendment, which was
read for information, and is 81 ibstsntisllyi
90 Be Il enacted, That the County Court Of each
county, may order the vote Ia ken at their October
term, for the people to say VIII yther they will be tax
ed OF. not, and if a majority vote for the tax the
Court shall assess the tax at their January term fol-
lowing"
ArROWLES felt satisfied the bill would give rise
10 m ore discussion in local sls otOn csnvasses than
any other bill Of the session. He was averss to
soucaing the taxing power without public emer-
geney or without first consult ing our constituents
who are the source or revenue. The principle Of
The existing statutes was, that every neighborhood
has it's road and they should keep up their road.
Some neighborhoods, account Of the soil and face
Of the country require less LABOR the roads than
others But this bill requires property and polsto
be taxed equally in sl the co unity, for keeping up
al the roads in the county, ire sPective of the rels
tive amount Of expense require 70 keep up the
rious neighbOrhoOd roads.
Mr. ALGEE. The gentlemslls objection is met
fully in the third section.
Mr. THOMPSON The country Wss now complain
ing Of exorbitsnt taxation and this bill allows the
tax 10 be doubled II Was not measure for Rtrin-
gent time as 10 money. Neither would the BILL |
probably, mike the roads any better. You could !
not compel more than two days to the hand There |
was in IL the responsibility Of doubling and trebling
the tax for no advantage to the roads. 1t was not
very compatible with republoanism To be too often
visited by the tax collector.
Mr. BAYLESS. If property be taxed to keep up |
roads, as the bill proposes, it must necessarily
move a portion Of the burden from the poor man, |
who can be taxed in nothing but has labor. Many |
hands makes light work. He supported the bill in q /
speech at length.
Mr. NEWBERN demanded the yeas and nays on /
and they were ordered.
Mr. BEALE had several objections, such as the
discretion Of the County COurt-the duties it impo-
ses OF the overseers Of roads, making him tax-col
ector, with further discretion Of the County Court
10 fx his compensation oVerseers were mere
boys, SO.
The vote being now taken Fesulte -ysh' 49,
nays 29.
MIR LACKEY explained that he voted against post
ponement, being desirous Of amending and passing
The bill.
So the bill was indefinitely postponed.
Mr. COPELAND (by unanimous consent) submit
led resolution, which lies under the rule, IS fol-
lows;
Rs.sIs's &C., That The Ath section Of the 10th AZ.