Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-09
Letter from Nashville.
NASHVILLE, Dec. Sd, 1865

NASHVILLE, Dec. sd, 1868.
The Electoral College met in the Senate
Chamber yesterday, and elected Clay New
land, Esq, as messenger to carry the votes
Of the Tennessee Electors, which were cast
for Grant and ColfaX, to Washington. Mr..
Newland is the Assistandt Clerk of the
Senate. He is from West Tennessee The
Electors strongly recommended Hon. Hor
ace Maynard for a seat in General Grants
Cabinet
The legislative business is progressing in
regular order, but nothing Of special signifi-
canoe arises. Yesterday two bills were Of
fered one by Mr.. Prosser and the other by
Mr.. Lillard, looking to the enfranchisement
Of the late rebels by an amendment to the
Constitution Of the State The policy ex-
cites considerable diversity of opinion and
feeling among the members. Its fate NAV
be considered rs problematical Another
measure that the members are not agreed
concerning, is that for the election of the
Judges in May next 1t has passed one
branch of the General Assembly-the Sen
atc-and awaits action in the House The
probability is that it will become q law
The bill for increasing the salaries of the
Governor, Supreme Judges, Secretary of
State, &c, has passed the House. The
amount is fixed at 81 900 per annum. A bill
for consolidating the railroads and liquida-
ting the State debt is being passed. Its sue
cess is highly probable. 1t will be an i'm
portant measure.
The bill for the completion of the unfn-
ished railroads--called the omnibus bill
has passed the Senate and been referred to
the Committee of Finance and Ways and
Means. 1t is deemed unlikely to pass by
those opposed to it, and the reverse by its
friends. The Agricultural College bill, pro-
viding for its location at Knoxville, has
passed one reading in the House, been re-
ferred to a committee, and reported back
with amendments, adding trustees to the
present board from Middle and West Ten
nessee, and its passage recommended.
These last two measures and the fran
chise amendment will create considerable
discussion in the House, and they may be
regarded as the leading questions of the
Assembly. Their decision will involve great
interests, and however that decision may
be, it will seriously affect, for veal or woe,
the people of Tennessee.
The rebel papers Of the State indulge in
the usual amount Of carping against the
doings of the Radical Legislature. Now
and then they 60 out Of their way to cast
fling upon citizens who visit the capital up
on any business, as lobby members, work
ing for personal aims. The Banner, Of this
morning, charges this upon Rev. DR.. Pearne,
in reference to a pending measure-the i'm
migration question, probably. Of course,
all this is to be expected. 1t will not, how
evea, change the course of legislation, I'M
less, indeed, it should quicken and stifen
the Assembly in doing what those papers
denouncc. ErWsr
A spicy correspondence is going on be-
tween Judge Patterson and Secretary
Fletcher upon the carpet-bag and enfran-
chsement subject. Judge Patterson also
criticizes the Foote- Fowler correspondence
in letter Of considerable vigor.
The Trustee of the Bank of Tennessee is
out in voIuminous report as to the affairs
of that institution, from which it would APP
pear that they cannot soon be closed up,
and, also, that the Bank is not likely to be
able to Iquidate its liabilities without Sc
rious loss to some parties.
The report Of the State Comptroller ex-
hibits the financial condition of Tennessee
as being critical and as forbidding reduc-
ton Of the taxes.
The remedy for our depressed finances is
not to be found in increased taxation, but
in the sale of the detailing railroads for
State bonds, at par. This would give i'm
mediate and ample relief and it would
greatly enhance the value of the State bonds
of Tennessee in the Stock market.