Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-01-20
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
SATURDAY, Jan. 16, 1858.
The journal Of yesterday was read.

HOJSE VI hElhESENlAllhL O.
SATURDAY, Jan. 16, 1858.
The journal Of yesterday was read.
PETITIONS.
Mr. Speaker DONELSON MIR Ivie in the Chair
presented the petition of sundry citizens os Harris
vile praying for county, involving an amend
ment of the State Constitution. The petition Was
read, and ordered to be transmitted to the Senate.
Mr. TURNER of ROane, presented the petition Of
sundry citizens Of ROane county, asking that the
Office of County Judge be retained for that county,
which was read, and ordered TO be transmitted to
the Senate.
Mr. RICHARDSON presented the petition Of
the stockholders and others, asking for Turnpike
charter from MurfreesbOro, by way Of Las-Casas
and Milton TO Liberty.
Mr. WHITE Of Hamilton presented the petition Of
the County Court Of Hamilton county, for relief for
certain moneys paid out in securing prisoners.
Mr. BENTLEY presented the petition Of sundry
citizens Of Lawrence county, asking exemption from
the operation Of the repeal Of the County Judge
law; which was received, without reading, and or
dered to be transmitted to the Senate
AIrWHITE of Hamilton, from the Committee on
Claims, reported back the bill for benefit Of Nrght
and others and asked to be discharged from its fur
Their consideration.
FALLS OF THE OHIO RIVER.
Mr. KING submitted the following, which lies over
under the rule:
Whereas, The people Of Tennessee, in common
with all those of the Valley Of the Mississippi, are
deeply in crested in the cheap easy, and expeditions
transportation Of their commerce the Ohio river:
And whereas, the distractions at the falls of that
river are q serious hindrance to the accomplishments
of these desirable results; therefore
RsssErsd &c That the Ohio river, being regarded
as 8 great national highway under the control and
supervision of the general government, 1t Is compe
tent for and in the opinion Of this General Assem-
Z Irfwr oe fhn frflvn moi
afford such facilities in overcoming these Obstruc-
| tons as may be deemed just and proper
Resolved That the great increase Of population
and commerce in the Valley Of the Mississippi de-
! monstrates the utter insutHCeuCy Of the present
canal around these falls to afford even reasonable
| accommodation to the trade and travel which is
thrown on this river, thereby rendering indspensa-
bic the construction Of another canal Of sufficient
capacity to accommodate the largest class Of boats
now plying on that river.
Rssolysd, That the repair and enlargement Of the
present canal WOnld, during the term Of such repair
and enlargement, operate most Oppresslvely on the
commercial interests of the entire Valley, cutting of
entirely the facilities however inadequate they are
| which we now enjoy.
Resolusd, That the surveys and estimates, hereto
fore made by competent engineers, establishes the
| fact that the construction Of a new canal srOunC
this Falls adapted to the present and future wants
Of commerce, would cost but little, If any, more
than the enlargement Of the present work, which
if enlarged, would efOrd but one passage arOunC
this obstruction, instead Of the two, proposed.
RssolDed further, In view Of the great embarrass
ment to the trade and commerce to the entire Waller
of the Mississippi, IN consequence Of this made
uuate means OftranspOrtaton around thisnaturRl OBJ
struction in one of the great national highways tina
our Senators in Congress are hereby instructed an'
our Representatives requested to use their best eff
forts to secure the passage law by Congress, author
ling and aiding the construction Of new canal
on the Indiana side of the river, Of sufficient CaPa
city to pass the largest class boats now IN use on tn
Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
ReTOlUsd, That the Governor be requested to fur
tiaA our Senators and Representatives. with copy
'-'eiOns.
Mr. ST JOHN introduced B4ltftt4 t 10.
fit Of Lawrence Academy, which passed the fFifi
reading.
CIRCUIT COURT.
MIR STOYALL asked aud obtained the order q
the House to take up the consideration Of his bi
1861 to regulate the times Of holding the Ciroui
Courts in the counties Of ObiOn Gibson and Lauder
dale.
Mr. WILLIAMS proposed to amend. BY claus
changing the time Of holding the Chancery Court il
Centrevile, which was adopted
And 50 the bill passed the second reading.
FREE PERSONS or colon.
The House nov returned to the unfinished bust
ness, viz:
] Mr. COOPER's bill (25I) to provide for voluntar,
enslavement Of free persons of color-the question
being on the adoption of Mr. DOBSON'S amend
ment-strikiug out the exemption clause.
| Mr. COOPER rehesrsed the reason which induced
him 10 prescribe in the bill exemption of such
slaves from execution. He further explained the
object Of the bill to be, to reduce these persons
TO absolute slavery as soon al could be done con
sistently with justice.
| Mr. DAVIDSON corrected the report Of his re-
marks Of day before yesterday: his words were che
would vote against this bill, this ground alone il
there were no other and he proceeded to state other
| grounds Of his opposition to the bill
Mr. DUNLAP followed, IN defence of the bill al
length
| Mr. DOBSON supported his amendment st length,
| Mr. RANDOLPH submitted, in lieu of the amend
msnt of the gentleman from Polk, the following
- Be- II further enacted, &c. That when any free
srson of color sells himself herself, themselves
under the provision of this act their term Of service
| shall expire OF the death Of the purchaser; and
at the death Of said purchaser, said cOOred person Of
persous shall have the right TO choose any Other
master or Mistress if they desire, snd If sny such
master or mistress shall sell, offer, or attempt "a
sell. or dispose of said cOlOred person or persons
4 said sale shall be null and void"
| Mr. BICKNELL supported the bill in a speech a.
| length. and in reply to Mr. DObson-oPPosing both
| amendments. ~
! MIR BLACKBURN followed in support Of the bill
| with Mr. DobsOns amendment against Nj nan
| dOlph's substitute.
| Mr. ST JOHN opposed.
MIR BULLOCK spoke in opposition to the Pena,
ing amendments, and suggested that the Dill shouil
be 50 modified as TO provide for the nullhcauon ol
| the contract between such master and slave, oy
| mutual consent and under competent judicial
authority. The power Of alienation, without mutual
I - 4 ArrVlo hr