Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-10-31

During the past week, being the Iourth
week of the session, the Legislature has pro-
ceeded with the business of legislation, If not
very rapidly, intently. The Senate has eI-
bibited greater apparent moderation in the
desire to make laws, or to change those al
ready made, than the House-about sixty
bills having been introduced into the former
body, while the calendar Of the latter shows
about two hundred. OF the questions con-
adhered by the Senate during the last week
the following may be mentioned as possess
ing q general interest. The bill to exempt
the Bank of Tennessee from the requirement
of issuing "counter notes" was rejected on
its third reading. A similar proposition Is
pending in the House. The latter promises
10 lead to some discussion, which will De but
the diminishing III advance Of the more eT-
citing debates which may be expected to
occur on the subject of the currency when it
shall come up generally. The soldiers of the
war Of 1872 are gratefully remembered by
both branches of the Legislature, resolution
having passed the House, and one still pend
ing before the Senate, urging the General
Government to provide pensions for them.
Both branches are also entertaining PROPOSE
tions TO abolish the Office Of State Geologist.
The Code seems to be q subject of general
attack; but both Houses have raised special
committees, to whom it is required that pro-
positions to alter, amend or repeal any por-
ton of the laws therein contained, shall be
referred These, it is supposed, will be
sort Of shield or body guard to that volume.
and will probably succeed in preventing any
wanton or unnecessary change In It's con-
tents. No progress has been made in either
House on the conventional interest bills.
There are a few radical changes in the
general laws prOpOsed-One by Mr.. STOKES,
Of Wilson, in the Senate, prohibiting
change of venue in criminal cases without
the consent of the defendant; another in the
House by Mr. JONES, of OvertOn, nominally
to destroy the .'inquisitorial powers" OF
Grand Juries in certain cases.
An interest is manifested in the common
school system of the State, and several bills
for its better support have been offered.
Both branches have also under considera-
tax, which, if successful and not embarrassing
the State finances, will prove generally ac-
ceptaole.
Several bills, contemplating change in
the mode of keeping up public roads, are
proposed in the House; where also, Mr..
DUDLEY, of Montgomery, offered bill on
Saturday providing for the annual publica-
ton Of the amount and objects Of all appro-
priations made by the County Courts, which
will be doubtless regarded with general favor.
The same branch has q measure before it to
abolish the Office of tax collector, and to
transfer the duties of that officer to COnsta-
bles. Also bills more equilably to assess the
taxes on hired slaves. Also various bills in
relation to the free negro population of the
State. This subject has been considered OF
sufficient Importance TO justify the raising oil
special Standing Committee, whose duty
il is to consider and. if possible, devise
some measure which will satisfactorily re-
Heve the difficulties which surround the
presence of this class Of persons in our
midst.
Quite number Of memorials have been
presented from merchants in various portions
OF the State, complaining Of unequal and
burdensome taxation on their business, and
and asking relief This movement seems to
be general and earnest. AS yet nothing has
been suggested to meet the case, hut the
Honse has raised special Committee to
give the matter thorough examination and
to recommend such measures as they may
deem just and appropriate.
There appears to be general dissatisfaction
in the minds of members of the Legislature,
in both branches, with the organic law Of the
State, Judging from the number Of PROPOSE
lions that have been made to amend the
constitution. A similar feeling was mani
tested in the Legislature two years ago, and
10 avoid multiplicity and circuity, that
body passed law submitting the question
directly to the people whether they desired
convention Ito alter, amend or make q
new constitution for the State. This was
answered in the negative with great unani-
nifty, the people rejecting the proposition by
most decided vote.
The resolution to adjourn ,ns dc. on the
goth December, proposed in the Senate, was
laid on the table. So the prospect tor a
lengthy session is probably rs bright MS the
friends, il there any, of such contingen-
cy, could reasonably wish.