The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-11-20
FROM THE STATE CAPITAL.
NASHVILLE, Nov. II, 1868.

VIII ilot uc any uclHltc lcSlslatlou VII
the subject during the present session.
OF this you may rest assured.
You will have noticed that the mes
sage has but little reference to taxation
or the material interests of the State.
while a strong partisan spirit pervades
it throughout. 1t is certainly lamenta-
bic to see the Governor persistent in
the effort to impress feeling of vim
dictivencss upon ali State legislation,
and to bequeath to the people legacy
of bitterness and reproach.
From the indications so far. | apprc-
hcnd the legislation of the present ses-
sion will result in little that will prove
beneficial to the people at large. The
whole State machinery has been run
ming loosely for some time, and there
does not seem to be any one, either in
the Legislature or connected with the
administration. with sufficient moral
nerve to look the condition squarcly in
the face and initiate steps for its i'm
iprovemcnt. Every candid mind must
see that Il thorough change of rulers
will have to occur. both in the cxecu
tive and legislative departments, before
the people can hope for relief from the
onerous system of taxation which is
eating out their substance, prostrating
industry. retarding development, and
keeping capital. enterprise and immi-
grafton away from our borders.
In the Senate proceedings of the 18th
you will find preamble and resolution
introduced by Mr.. Cate. of Hamilton.
to dcposc Speaker Sentcr and elect a
new man to preside over the delibera-
tons of that body. The resolution
charges ineligibility on the ground of
favoring the late rebellion at its incep-
ton and until some time after the Leg
islature fed from Nashville. Its intro
duction created intense excitement. not
to say alarm. and some of Scnter's
friends say the movement originated
with Col. VIM. 3. Stokes, and that the
Senator from Hamilton was but an in
strument of the astute author of the
Duncan letter. | am not able to agree
with this opinion. Col. Stokes, who is
not fool by any means, would not have
initiated step so certain to fail. NY
theory is that it originated entirely with
Mr.. Cate himself, whose head has beeu
badly turned by the little prominence
the adventurous circumstances of the
last few years have enabled him to
achieve. lie probably thought, Scnter
out of the way, it would be Mr.. Speaker
Cate, and the present incumbent gone
to Washington to assume the Senate.
rial toga, it would then be Governor
Cate. [Oh!] But whatever the motive
it was grave mistake, as it has effect.
ually squelched its author, and no doubt
improved Scnter's chances for the sue.
cession. When the resoulation came up
on the succeeding day, the entire Sen.
ate, with the exception of Mr.. Cate,
voted for its indefinite postponement.
Mr.. Fletcher, whom stated last week
was understood to be an aspirant for
the gubernatorial succession, is now an
nounced for reelection to the Office OF
Secretary Of State. Whether he is to
have serious opposition is not yet mani.
fest, though he possibly will, as there
is not much friendship between the
present Governor and Fletcher and the
latters reelection would be regarded
as something of a triumph over the
former.
Since last wrote you bill has been
introduced and passed first reading
ordering an election for Judges o.
the Supreme Court in February, and te
fill all vacancies and elect SUCCESSORS te
all present judicial appointees. This il
a move in the right direction, though
regret to say the bill will not rcacl
f final action without struggle.
There are several gentlemen her,
seeking the Office of State Treasurer
among the number Capt. S. p. Evans
| Of Roane county, whose chief qualIfi
: cation for the position is intense loilty
He may not get it, as it is thought TIT
principal financial officer of the Stat
f should be man Of ability, as we'll as
l good radical.
. The two houses met in Convention
yesterday to elect public printer
: which resulted in favor of Grisham, o
/ the JonesbOrO' Flag. The result here i
regarded as triumph of native loilt,
over the imported article. l congratu
late Captain Grisham upon his success
t and hope he will make good use of il
A good deal of new business is get
, ting up in both branches, and the pros
, pect is favorable for protracted SEES
sion, though an adjournment might oc
cur at almost any time without seriou
detriment to the public interests.
t You will find the proceedings report
: ed in full in the Press and Times, t.
which, if you have the leisure and in
clination, you can refer for details.
, Tho rapnrt of tha oSSa scinatinn n