Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-03-05

say by the gentleman from Bradley, for I suppose
he has just walked up to the importance Of this in
vestigation. But BY some other gentleman sustsiR-
ing q common responsibility here
Mr. R0WLES Why we're not thase Important
interrogatories propOunded before
Ar THOMPSON. They were submitted weeks
sgo-six weeks or more.
Mr. RoWLEs. But why we're they not presented
to the bank.
Mr. THOMPSON. That was not nv business Int
the Chairmans. Our position was the same six
wees ago that it is to-day. And when they were
presented on last Ssterdsy they were met with the
technical objection that the paper had no caption
! Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. Speaker do not know that
there was any objection urged on that ground, but
the enquiry was merely directed to me in the ab-
| sence Of the Chairman of the Committee; 1 was
requested to carry these interogatOries down, and
the President Of the bank asked why there was not
caption do not know that there objection to the
paper on that account
Mr. THOMPSON. The Chairman of the Joint
Committee did request the gentleman from Greene
as Chairman Of the House Committee to present the
interroRatories: certainly will not sign any report
Till they are answered. 1 have objections to
their being presented 10 the House both interroga-
Z tories ard answers l desire the people Of the
State TO know whether the bank has been honestly
| and wisely conducted.
These intsrrogatoriss just cover the charges that
have been made against The bank from all out-of-
doors. Every man knows that it is charged against
and give credit TO the Central Bank and the Bank Of
East Tennessee and say that the bank owes it to
itseifto interrogatCres Hope the bank
may be sustained 1 hope they may be able to
answer 10 the public satisfaction.
Mr ROWLES. l say to The House that if these
heterogeneous are Of such a character that the
ia o can. believe Jhpy viii answer promptly But
desire to ask the gsutlemau-dO they not over
ever every branch in the State in inquiry after
! "a violation Of charterf
iIr THOMPSON. 1t Is confined 10 the parent
bank. Ifraey have discounted twice as many bills
| as notes is not that q violation Of charter!
/ Mr. RONLES This is the imputatOn, that the
President and Directors Of the Bank of Tennessee
have perJured themselves. This is a grave charge
| against gentlemen well known to the country. One
Of them has grown grey in the c0ucis Of ecountTy,
| and now, that he IS about ready 70 pass TO that
bourne whence no traveller returns, his hi CHEST am
OItiOu must be 10 leave ported re utatIOD.
The charge IS boldly made that In his old age this
man mas violated bis oath and duty and proved
creant tohe ne has sustained through
long life Of public service; and for the present,
will neither admit deny, but l call for the in
yesugation Before l can give eredence to 50
| grave charge l must have evidence Plenary and
| full
Mr. THOMPSON. I hope the gentleman will not
grow pathetic He does not cherish d higher regard
Tor the honorable Cave johnson than 1 do; but it
has been made my duty by q resolution Of this Leg
slature to inquire into the condition Of the Bank of
! Tennessee and its management under its present
| Directors.
! Mr. WILSON objected to this debate-ha7ing no
| pertinence to the question.
| The SPEAKER sustained the point.
! Ar ROWLES. The Constitution guarantees to
every man the right Of an impartial trial and put
1t 70 gentlemen whether it is giving chance for
fair trial to present these nerogatons at this time,
when there is resolution to adjourn the session on
/ the 9Th.
Il - Al
| Mr. THOMPSON (by Ieave) 1 am in no hurry to
report 1t Is with the Directory. Nor DO these in
terrcgatoTies charge violation Of charter: but the
charge is all the State, that the Bank Of Ten
nessee IN its admnistratiOn-(uot merely under the
present DirectOry)-never has been confined to its
charter. There is no investigation called fort IS
simply proposed to the board-have you, or have
| you not violated your charter? That is all; and
requiring a categorical answer. The impression is
abroad In the country, that they have discounted
twice as many bills as notes. and these interroga-
tories, far from being arraignment, but gives
them an opportunity TO come forward and justify
themselves. have no objection TO the resolution
calling for the report, but viii not sign Il unta
these inteTogatOries shall be answered under oath
Mr. ROWLES pressed his demand for the yeas and
nays, and they we're ordered, and being taken re-
sulted-yeas 90, nays CAS- follow:
Fels-AIessrs. Algee, Anderson, Bate, Bayless-
Beale, Bentley, Benton, Bicknel Brazaon, Bullock,
Carter Of Carter, Cooper Copeland Davidson, Davie,
Dobson, Dunlap, Estes, Ewing, Frazer, Fulton, Gam
mon, Griffith, Hamilton, Harvey Holmes, Ivie,
Johnson, Kendrick, Keeney, King, Lackey, Lamb.
Lloyd, Low, Alaris Newman, Randolph, Boulston-
RenshaW, Richardson, Roberts, Rose, Bowles, St
John, Saunders Senter, Shrewsbury, Smart, StO-
vail, Summers, Turner Of k5ane. Turner Of Sumner
Williams Wilson, White Of Hamilton, White Of Knox,
Wood Vaughn, Speaker Bonvlson-60
Nags-Messrs Blackburn, Caldwell, Cantroly
Carter OF Hardin, Mickey, Schmittou-G
So the Tule was suspended, and the resolution was
adopted and on motion by Mr. RoWlcs it was or
dered to be forthwith transmitted to the Senate.
RULES OF ORDER.
Mr. ROWLEs resolution resembling the objection
rule and the .two- bird rule excepting the daily
consideration Of the Code coming up
Mr. ROWLES showed the justice and necessity Of
returning TO the majority rule, in view Of important
measures to come up now in the end Of the session
Mr. THOMPSON opposed it not se.6shly-admit-
Ting also, that il he had the power, that bank bill
from the Senate never should come up, and if be
could deeat It by any parliamentary opposition, he
would do it.
Mr. ROWLES. Has not the gentleman heard it
said here that that bill never shall come up.
Mr. THOMPSON. Yes, 1 said it myself
1Ir DAVIDSON would rather fight a case on its
merits than on a techniealjty. But he was opposed
to a repeal of the two thizd rule
Mr. WILLIAMS opposed the repeal of the rule. Il
was the best rule on the book.
y
gentlemen fight measure on a technicsGty if they
will
Mr. NEWMAN said:
That an explanation Of his vote on the repeal of
the unanimous rule was necessary. He should vote
for its repeal believing 10 be unjust and iniquit-
Gus, to have gag law of this description. The |
question has also arisen in this debate to the
peal It is stated that the object is to bring up the
Bank increase bill. He should oppose an increase
Of the State debt by the issuance Of bonds for the
pu pose of increasing the capital of the Bank Of
Tennessee But he would never vote to smother |
any bill by mere legislative ecnnicaity He should
vote to take 1t up; but when up, should all hon
Orable legitimate and fair means 10 defeat the pas
sage Of the bill He believed it best to oppose
all questions openly and above board. Never should
he be willing to stab an adversary in the back, but
stand up face 10 face; and fight him front to front
Mr. FRAZER proposed to amend the resolution by |
adding: &" Provided that the rule in regard to pri-
vate business shall remain in full force, which he
subsequently withdrew.
The vote on the resolution resulted-yea p, nays
4l-as follow:
Yeas-Messrs BicknelI, Bullock, Carter Of Carter,
Davidson Davie, DObsCn, Dunlap, Estes, Frazer,
Cannon, Griffith, Hamilton, Holiness Kendrick,
King, Maris Newman, RensbGw Rose, RowIes,
Shrewsbury, Summers, Turner Of ROane, and White
Of HamiltOn-24.
Nays-Messrs Algee, Bate, BayIess, Beale, Bent
ley, Benton, Blackburn, Brazeton, Caldwell, Can
treu, Carter Of Hardin, Cooper, Copeland Ewing,
Fulton, Harvey, Ivie, johnson, Keeney, Lackey, I
Lamb, Lloyd, Low, Mickey, Randolph, Roulston,
Roberts, St. John, Saunders SchmiftOu,
Senter, Smartt Stoval Thompson Turner Of Sum
ner, Williams, Wilson, Wood, Vaughn, and Speaker
DOnelsOn-4l.
So the resolution was rejected.
Mr. DAVIDSON moved to take up out of order the
Senate bill (2O7) for the relief Of the people.
Mr. WILLIAMS objected.
Mr. THOMPSON wanted to get up the resolution
for the adjournment of the session.
Mr. GRIFFITH joint resolution for the relief Of (
Larkin Contemplating a commissioner to report
the facts, at the next Legislature coming up-it was
adopted.
BANK OF TENNESSEE.
The Senates' joint resolution dsolaratOry Of the
State liability for the Issues ami debts OF the Bank
If Tennessee.
Mr. DUNLAP and Mr. ST. JOHN alleged, that it I +
vas but the expression of opinion upon legal ques
ion. 1t could do no good Il should not be dis 8
,ussed.
Mr. DAVIDSON. To reject night do great deal I
# HARM now the resolution has passed the Senate