Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-01-16
I'm. Tenne.see Legislature.

hills have been brought forHa ard in both
Houses, but az they are generally OF local
character. they will not consume much time
In their disposition. Yet we must remark
that the calendar is unusually full, and un-
less many bills arc left undsposed of. the
session lie likely to be prolonged for a couple
of months to come. On the subject OF adj
iournment, propositions have been made IN
both branches to bring the session to close
on the first of FEBRUARY, which failed in the
Senate. and lies over for future consideration
in the House.
The subject Of securing TO Mechanics pay
for their labor, il receiving attention in both
Houses. and bill TO this effect has finally
passed the Senate. The Senate has also pass
ed on third reading bill providing for an
enumeration Of the male inhabitants of the
State; To regulate the sale of spriiuous liq-
uors, prohibiting their being drank at the
places where sold, in certain cases; To pro-
hibit the marriage Of first cousins; and the
House bill to repeal the law requiring in
spection of -four, meal, lard, and other arti-
elen Of domestic produce.
Amendments to the Constitution Of the
State are still proposed, the last being in rc-
la,ion to the sessions of the General Assem-
bly. and regulating their duration. Mr.
SroxELY, in the Senate proposes that the
Legislature convene on the first Monday IN
October and adjourn sine die on or before the
Thursday preceding the 18th December. Aud
10 curtail the length of the session. Mr.
HrBB. in the House, proposes that for the
first 100 days of the session, The members
shall receive 81 per day for their services,
and e. per day thereafter, unless called to-
Rether by the Governor, in which event the
pay shall be 81. Undoubtedly shorter SEES
sions than have been usual for several years
past, il desirable; but we imagine that
more certain method to attain that object
would be, either to reduce the number OF
Representatives, or to Danish politics and
political prejudiccs on questions of local aud
State policy, which it is manifest have too
much to do in in the proceedings of our
General Assemblies. The manner in which
party contests have been conduct d in this
State. has no doubt led to this state of things,
and for il the people themselves are not ex-
empt from responsibility. The hOb-gobblins
of politics are fitting through great many
Of the proposed measures. and many others
are brought forward to gain fancied party
advantages. As an instance of the latter
fact, VIC have but to refer to the number to
the number OF bills now pending 10 change |
county lines, of which there are probably |
tventy or tbirty--many of which have their |
origin in this motive, while others are really |
intended for the fancied convenience of in
dividuals. These matters consume great
deal Of time uselessly, and the State may be |
sometimes put to the expense of five hun
dred or a thousand dollars TO relieve an in
dividual or two from climbing a hill or cross
ing stream in going to his court house. or |
IN giving one party or the other few addi- |
tionaI votes in different district
Our Federal and interstate relations are not |
neglected. They never are. 1t is moral |
impossibility for an hundred Of our popular |
REPRESENTATIVES. to meet without tourna- |
mens in this behalf. Witness, the "Hurpcr's |
Ferry Resolutions in the earlier part of the |
Session and those in ,lation to the Speaker |
ship in Congress OF last week-both oswhich |
have been published in these columns. Now |
we have a series of resolutions in the Senate |
BY Mr. PAYNE on the subject of direct trade |
between Europe and the Southern States to |
the purport that the experiment of establish
ing such trade is OF the highest Importance,
and eminently entitled to the counieuance
and support of the people and Legislatures of |
the South and which, effected, would give |
to athese States that position of equality in
she confederscy which should be desired by |
every patriot and friend of civil liberty"
But the Senator urges that the solder States /
OF the South, bordering on the Atlantic /
should take the lead in this great enter prise-'
The Senator also proposes statute giving
material aid and comfort, to the following /
purport: That whenever any Incorporated
company shall have raised capital Of two
millions Of dollars, TO he applied to the es-
adjustment of line OF steam ships from the
water. of the Chespeake Bay to some sp,ci-
fed port of. Europe and whenever the State
OF Virginia shall have subscribed three hun
q red thousand dollars to that Objrct, then il
10 made the duty of the Governor Of Trnnes-
s>e 10 subscribe one hundred thousand dol
lars for the same purpose, to be paid in one,
two and three years the first payment TO be
made upoa she completion Of .he two first /
steam ships intended and constructed for /
that purpose amount being intended as
. bonus to such enterprise. which passed its
llrss reading. Mr.. WILLIAMS. Of Hickman in
he House has similar resolutions. recon-
mending direct trade with Europe by the
Southern States, and commercial non-inter-
course with the Northern States. conditional
on their falling to case their warfare on
Southern rights aud institutions These pro-
positions are impatiently awaiting discus
sion-
The House consumed several days In dis
eussing bill sor the expulsion of Free Ne
eroes from this State. which finally passed.
The title indicates pretty clearly the object
Of the bill. IL is BOW before the Senate. but
Nh ther IL will pass that body Or not, We
B sve no means of knowing.
The subject Of banks and banking Is now
under consideration in both HeuSes. The
senate bill to allow the banks to pay oat the
notes OF each other. WAS changed in the House
20 as only to allow The State Bank to pay
sat the notes Of it, Branches, sueh notes be
ng rrdeemable by the pareHt Bank when so
paid cut, and tn Sens te has concurrsd in the .
,hangc. bill to incorporate the capital of
he Union and Planters Banks. Is being dis
russed In The Senat,; While the House is con- ,
idering Senate Bill 10 reform aud regulate
he business Of banking. This bill We prinl-
ID sometime since. Its di~eussioa thns tsF
sas been confined to the democratic side OF
he House. The House bill 10 repeal the Law
'ssablishieg foreign bank agencies In this
,sas<, has been eouearred in By the Senate