Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-10-18

| Senate O number OF impotlahS meaauio'
were acted upon. The bill to increase
the fees Of Justices Of the Peace was re
iected, as was also the bill fixing the le-
cal rate of interest at seven per cent
and authorizing contract in writing ioI
any rate not exceeding twelve per cent
The bill 70 indemnify loyal" citizens
of the State for losses sustained during
the war was referred to q joint special
committee Of five members Of the Senate,
and as many of the House as that body
may designate.
In the House the proceedings were
even more interesting. Mr.. Ryder pre-
sented a numerously signed petition
from his constituency, asking on be-
half of the enrolled militia oil
Memphis compensation for services
This militia is that organized by the
Federal commander Of this post during
the war, and compelled to drill two and
three days out Of the week to the neglect
of business, etc. 1t embraced three full
regiments, composed for the most part
of those citizens who, though within the
Federal lines, were in strong sympathy
with the Confederate cause. The OH
GERS, however, werein most cases loyal,
and as they would come in for the larger
share of the compensation" to them
NAV be attributed the origination Of
the bill. If we mistake not, Ryder him.
self held a commission Of Liutenant
Colonel for two or three years in the
organization. The measure will be
strongly opposed by members from the
eastern and middle districts, though a
compromise may be made in considera-
ton of the indemnity bill, whose benefits
would be less numerous in the western
district
A Joint resolution that Congress be
memorialized to donate the sum of about
Eve millions, due by the railroads of the
State to the General Government, for
the purchase of rolling stock, in aid of
internal improvements in this State, was
passed.
A resolution to depose Mr.. Hunt,
member elect from Henry county, was
referred to the Committee on Elections.
The appointment of joint committee
to investigate charges of disloyal con-
duct on the part of citizens of Madison
county was referred to the Military Com
mittee. A bill Incorporating the Mag
nolia Savings Bank of Memphis was
referred.
Mr.. Ryder introduced bill to amend
the charter of the city of Memphis, ex-
tending the corporate line of said city,
and creating two new wards. This we
believe is the same amendment intro
duced at the last session and defeated
by a small vote. By it Chelsea and
Fort Pickering will be brought within
the corporate limits of the city. Mr..
Ryder also introduced bill to incor.
porate the st. Andrews Society, Of this
place.
A bill to define the powers and duties
of State Railroad Directors was referred
to the Internal improvements Committee.
A bill authorizing the Governor to
remove any Receiver of or any Director
on the part of the State, in any railroad,
when, in his opinion, the interest of the
State requires such removal, was so
amended as to include Turnpike
Directors, and passed. The resolu-
ton instructing the Tennessee Repre-
sentatiyes in Congress to use their
influence to have the tax on cotton re-
was opposed by Mr.. Bean, and
advocated by Messrs. Cason, Hamilton
and Bowles, and finally postponed until
the first Monday in November. The
Tennessee State Agent at Washington
was instructed to report to the Legisla-
turo as soon as practicable the number,
amount, and condition of all unsettled |
claims in his hands.
A resolution to appoint special COM
mittee to confer with delegates to Con-
gress as to the possibility Of securing the
payment, by the General Government, of |
the losses of loyal citizens sustained in
putting down the rebellion, was referred |
to the Committee on Claims.