Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-27

This remarkable distinguished
over all similar bodies only by the tenacity
with which il clings to life--it ia believed
and hoped, breathed its last on yesterday
evening The precise hour we did not
learn, but we are satisfied, upon the judg-
ment of reliable parties, that 1t is certainly
dead. We understand that certain mem
bers of the family, unwilling to be COM
forted, still linger disconsolately about the
Capitol, and that GOVERNOR FLErcHER and
SECRETARY BRowELow have promised to
apply their battery, and if possible, gaIva-
nize il into life again. But il cannot be
done. Ii already stinks in the nostrilc Of
every honest man, without regard to former
differences Of opinion. Ii was a de-
formity-an unnatural monster-and the
people, that portion of them who
still claim some voice in the govern
Hlent Of the State, will never consent 10 look
upon lis like again. What a reflection
Duggan, Arnell and Mullins turned out in
the cold-without an organ to grind-no To-
rensic hall in which to hear their own melo-
deus yoices-no treasury pap-beggarly
without means to settle their weekly board
mo free tickets over the rlilroads-what
a contemplation We are afraid to trust
ourselves with further reflections on the
subject.
The following brief report Of the House
proceedings Of yesterday tellsthe whole story.
A number of members had resigned several
days previous. The additional designations
Of yesterday reduced the number below
quorum, which is an efiectual suspension Of
its functions. 1t is generally understood that
Gov. Fletcher and Secretary Brownlow viii
issue writs Of election to fill the vacant seats
thus brought about; but if they do, there is
scarcely doubt that the people, approving
the action Of their Representatives, viii re-
elect them, or others entertaining the same
views Of public policy, who, on returning,
will re-enact the same scene, until by one
good fortune or another the country shall
have been delivered from the unnatural
position into which it has drihed by the
recent disordered state of public affairs.
The following is brief synopsis of the
House proceedings as furnished us by our
Reporter:
THE FRANCHISE BILL.
Mr.. Raulston called up the unfinished business
the franchise bill.
RESIGNATION.
Mr. Freeman handed in his resignation.
Mr.. Rauiston objected 10 the reading of il.
Mr.. Gaines moved TO adjourn. Lost, ayes 81
After some little remonstrance from Mr.. Rauls-
ton against members leaving their seats, on mo- |
ton. the House adjourned until 2o'clOck.
On the roll being called il was ascertained there
were oaly 81 members in the Hali--lacking 5 Of a
Mr.. Steele rose to a point of order: that the
resolutions laying over should be acted on before
the unfinished business-the franchise bill could
be brought up.
quorum present. no motions could be entertained
Mr.. Steele presented TO the Speaker the follow |
ing batch Of designations:
The undersigned. members of the House of Rep
resentatives, herewith resign our seats in your
honorable body, to take effect instanter: William |
Scales, of Dyer aud Lauderdale. W, W. Willis. of
Of Marshall. A. X. Wynne, OF Summer. S. p. |
Walker, of Shelby, N. Brandon, of Stewart. and |
WIN. Simmons, of Franklin.
Mr.. Steele IN handing in the designations re- |
marked that from the beginning he had been a |
Union man. He had been banished from his |
homo BY rebels, and had been compelled to take |
refuge within the Federal lines for protection. |
lie had never been anything but Union man. |
lie had been called n C0pperhead. Well. he |
would appeal TO the people. Ii was the proudest |
ad of his life that he had been entrusted with the
presentation Of these resignations. He was for |
Cancellation. and he could not stand by and see |
the rights of the people attacked The franchise |
law would throw the ball0t-box into the hands of
a single man; and rather than allow that-rather |
than allow the liberties of the people to be putup
NJ merchandise, ne and those whose names were |
attached 10 the paper took the steps theSdid. and
would appeal 10 tho people for justia4 ton Of |
their conduct.
The designations. with that Of Mr.. Freeman. |
handed IN in the morning, were then received by |
the House.
Mr.. Arnel rose 10 enter his protest against the |
revolutionary action of the resigning members. |
lie then entered into labored argument TO show |
that the constitutional rule of two-thirds of the /
House m cans nothing more less than two thirds
Of the House il may numerically stand. pro-
vided the number present is always absolute MI
nority Of the whole number 10 be elected in con-
temptation Of law. To prove his proposition he /
quoted Of large from Kent and Story.
Mr.. Mullins made some remarks strongly dis
paragng the course Of the minority.
On motion the House adjourned until 10 o'clock
to-mOrrow morning,