The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-07-24
Rirhmond 1ispatrh.
THE TENNESSEE LEGISLATIVE.
Adoption OF the Constitutional Anne ndment.

sentativcs Of the Tennessee Legislator.
npon the occasion of the alleged adoption
of the constitutional amendment are OF
such general importance in the present
state of the country that we copy from the
Nashville Gazette the report of what took
place. 1t will be seen that the Speaker,
Mr.. Hciskell, decided positively that there
was no quorum present, and that the reck-
less majority overruled his decision by
voting a positive lie! Before presenting
the formal report Of what was done by the
legislators, we copy the comments Of the
Gazette Of the goth July upon their lawless
proceedings. The Gazette says:
Yesterday our goodly city was startled
out of proprioty by the appearance of an
extra announcing the passage Of the con-
stitutional amendment by tho lower House
of the Tennessee Legislature $50 called).
Thinking theyhad quorum--nay, rothy
that they had quorum-they do not wait
even to apprisc the coordinate legislative
body Of their supposed organization, nor to
read the Gubernatorial message, in virtue
of which they are assembling. In indecent
haste they close the doors and proceed
| forthwith to their dirty work, some impe-
cunious member, however, sdgng in a
word about his per diem. No debate is
! allowed: no discussion of the merits Of
proposed alteration (fOt amendment) of the
work of Washington, Jefferson, and Madi-
son. The Speaker again declares that no
quorum is present. They virtually &C.
knowledge the fact by ordering the ser
geant- alarms to produce two prisoners.
The ballot is taken; the prisoners refuse
to vote; the Speaker again declares no
quorum is present; the RAIDS rote that quo
rum is present; they declare the amend
ment is passed, and toss up their hats in
glee. Poor fools, they think the thing is
done.
Is iti Or has all this haste this vio-
lence this lawlessness; this infamy; been
Intellectual Bitter rs the pill may be,
they have themselves compounded it, and,
nolens r0lenS, must swallow it. The amend
ment is not passed. Before becoming
law it must receive the signature OF the
presiding officer of each branch Of the
Legislature; and even the Radicals must
be aware that Speaker Heiskell will never
sign the document underth circumstances.
Again, prisoners cannot participate in
dclibcrativs bodies. Such organizations
presuppoSe freedom Of action. Liberty is
their quickening principle, giving validity
to their decisions.
And, to cap the climax, Judge Frazier
decides that these prisoners were held lille
gally-bv violence opposed to law. Can
l1,cS be enacted in virtue of the gross in
fraction Of la,o? Can the lawmakers of
the State be allowed to break law in order
to make lawf
The following are the proceedings:
TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE.
THURSDAY, July l9.-The House Of Re-
representatives. convened according to adj
journmcnt, and on calling the roll, fifty
! four members answered to their names.
! Speaker Heskell in the chair.
| For the information Of the House, Senate
! Joint resolution No. 2 was read, ratifying
| the amendments to the Constitution of the
| United States; also Senate joint resolution
! No. ), in relation to the death of Judge
Rogers also, joint resolution providing for
the payment Of members Of the General
Assembly. With regard to the last named,
the Speaker urged SOME expression OF
opinion on the part Of the House, 50 as to
enable members to draw some pay from
the Treasury, to enable them TO pay their
expenses.
The member from Ifardeman offered q
motion to the effect that the doors be
closed, and that Captain Heydt be sent out
to hunt up members. The Chair suggested
that the doorkceper be placed at the door,
instead Of closing the door; which was ac-
tod
Another member suggested that quo
rum was present, two members being in
one of the offices and fiity-four on the
floor of the House. The 1.-TWO gentlemen
in decentralization" were then invited
into the bar of the House at the request Of
the House, by motion, which was adopted
by a vote of so to- 3.
The doorkecper reported that Martin
and Williams said that if the House in
tended to investigate their case, they
would cheerfully enter, but not otherwise.
The doorkeeper was then directed to bring
the refractory members within the bar Of
the House.
1t was then moved to take up Senate
resolution No. 2. The member from Han
cock, Mr.. Jarvis, hoped that members
would have an opportunity to discuss the
subject. The gentleman from Butord and
Rutherford called for the previous ques-
ton. Confusion followed. The member
from Hancock insisted that he had the
floor. The previous question was called.
The Chair put the question as to whether
the main question should be put, when the
gentleman from Hancock appealed, and
the ayes and noes were called on sustain
ing the Speaker. The Speaker was sus.
tanned by vote of 81 to l6. The names
of Martin and Williams were called, but
they failed to answer. The Speaker then
declared there was no quorum present.
The doorkecper was again directed to
bring the refractory members into the bar
of the House; but they refused to come
1t was then suggested that the sergeant
alarms procure assistance if he was not
alone able to bring in the members. An
appeal was taken from the decision of the
Chair in regard to there not being quo
rum in the House. The decision of the
House was against the Chair by a vote OF
ii ayes to AZ noes.
The previous question was then called
by the gentleman from Hardeman on the
adoption Of the constitutional amendment.
The Chair put the question, which resulted
as follows:
AYEs.-Anderson, Arnell, Baker, Black.
man, Donaldson, Doughty, Elliott, Fuson,
Garner, Gilmer, Grimmett, Hudson, Hale,
Inman, Jones Of Claiborne, Kerchival,
McNair, Milton, Norris, Mullins, Mulloy,
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