Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-04-26
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
THURSDAY, April Is, 1861.

THURSDAY, April 25, 1861.
The Principe! Clerk called the House to order at
twelve o'clock, NJ.
Mr.. LEA stated the Hon. W. C. WmTTHoRNE, Speak
er Of the House of Representatives, absent from
the State and would not return for day two,
and moved that the Hon. ". l.. Marlin, be elected
Speaker pro tenn to until the return Of Speaker
WHIT HORNE. The motion prevailed by unanimous
vote.
Mr.. MARTIN, on assuming the chair. thanked the
members for the partia ity shown him. The Legis-
lature had assembled under extraordinary circum-
stances. When the members left here less than
three months ago, all hoped that we should have
peace instead OF war made upon Us by those we
have heretofore regarded as our brethren. The
Governor had called us together in extraordinary
session to take action TO defend our rights, our
homes and our wives and children, and he hoped
the members would bring to the aid of their deiib
erations that wisdom and patriotism which should
characterize free people. Having said this much,
be proposed that We should invoke the blessing Of
that Power to whom We must look for protection.
lie then invited the Rev. Dr. HOWELL to open the
deliberations CT the House with prayer, who ad
dressed al earnest sUpplieaton u the Throne OF
Grace.
Mr.. CAN'T. Before tire roll is called desire to
state that Mr.. Speaker WHlrraoRAE was absent on
the business of the State.
The Clerk then called the roll, when the follows
ing Representative answered to their names
Messrs Arms rong Baker, of Perry, Baker,
of Weskley, Barksdale, Bayless. Brazelton,
Caldwell, Cheatham. Cewden. Critz, Davidson
Davis. Duak, Dudley, East. Ewing, Farley. Ford,
Frazier, CAN'T Gillespie, Greene. Guy, Harris,
Hayron, Hebo, Hurt, Kennedy, Lea, Lockhart, Mar
tin Ma, Fl Id. M'Cabe. Morris. Morph lis, Nall. Nor
man. Pickett PoF:er, Roberts Russell Senter, She'd
Smith Suwe, Ir, Wit, Vaughn. Williams, of Franklin,
Wi iIms. of Hctm n, VILLAINS, Of Knox, Wisener,
Woods and WOOdaru-53.
quorum being present,
The SPEAKER declared the House ready to pro-
coed to business
Mr. BARKSDALE asked and obtained leave of
absence for ur. Bennett until Monday.
On motion of Mr.. WILLIAMS, of Hickman, a
committee was appointed to wait on the Governor
and inform him that the Legislature was ready to
receive any communication he may desire to make.
On motion of Mr.. CHEATHAM, Mileg Brantley
| was appointed Principal Door Keeper pro tenn to
serve during the session. until the Principal Door
Keeper shall appear.
MESSAGE TRpN TIE GOVERNOR.
A message from the Governor was received by
the hands of the Secretary of State, which was
| read.
On motion of Mr. CHEATHAM, the House took
a recess until three O'Clock, at which hour the
Speaker called the House order.
SECRET SESSIONS.
Mr.. PICKETT offered resolution providing that
IpoE the grave matters submitted for consideration
By the Governor, With view to the public safety
the two houses of the Legislature will hold their
sessions with closed doors whenever secret session
of either house may be called for by FIVE members
of said house and that the oath of secresy be ad-
ministered to the members and officers of said
house.
The rule was suspended and the resolution taken
Up. -,
ing that tie DECISIONS of this House, until further or
dered shall be IN secret, which was adopted, and
then the resolution adopted as the sense OF the
House, ayes "a. noes IL.
The House then went into secret session and tbs
( doors were closed.