Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-12
TENNESSEE LEGIsLATURE.

| thu Seho'o WIS "''"""' -
Monday.
In the House. at 3 pm. hfty -eigh'
members answered 10 their names
The use Of the hall was granted "a
Hon. ID. A. Mum and Coils. Mitchell and
Fitch, all OF West Tennessee.
Cordell, from the special committee,
To whom was referred that portion OF the
Governors message relating to the peni-
| Tertiary, submitted majority report as
to a "full settlement with the lessees.
TWAS accompanied by resolution abating
TO the lessees half the amount charged
for convict labor from June ~ to Decem-
Der 80, 1867, the lessees receipting against
damage by ERE. The minority report
was for abating the whole amount
The following petitions were pre-.
sented: A petition from citizens, OF
Shelby county praying for the repeal Of
the franchise law. From over five hum
bred bnsipess men Of Memphis, in favor
of extending the franchise and against
calling out the militia. From over thir-
teen hundred citizens of Robertson
county, to the same effect That portion
Of the petition relating to the militia was
referred to the Committee on Military
Affairs.
The following preamble and resolu-
tons were referred to the Committee on
Military Affairs:
WHEREAS, it is the pride and boast
Of all Republican Institutions that their
objects and aims are the maintenance
and execution of the laws, so as thereby
to insure protection Of life, liberty and
property; and
WHERrAs, Certain able and influential
men, who we're the leaders of the soldiers
of Tennessee who took part in the rebel
lion, have manfully and voluntarily come
forward and rendered their services, in.
fuence and hearty cooperation in all
necessary measures for the maintenance
Of peace, preservation of order. and
the unfolding and sustaining of the
Constitution and laws Of the State,
as OF present existing, and have pledged
their honor and their efforts for
the furtherance of these very desirable
ends. And many good and peaceably dis
posed citizens, who once were soldiers In
the rebel army under those same leaders,
will initiate their example, as once they
followed them in war, and thereby pro-
mote the objects and purposes of this
General Assembly, to-wit,the peace of the
country and the welfare of the State;
and
WHEREAS, As their personal and
united effosts in this good cause are all
the guarantee that any or all of them can
give; and in order that should they fail,
we may be ready and fully prepared for
any emergency that may arise in conse-
ouence of said failure or other unex-
pected cause, authority should be given
the Governor to organize, arm. equip
and call into service force sufficiently
large to meet the emergency, and there
BY effect that which the efforts Of all
good and true men, irrespective ofparty,
could not otherwise secure and,
WHEREAS, The franchise law, as now
found upon our statutes, was never in
tended to be permanent, but transitory,
depending for its limit of life altogether
upon the conduct Of those who had acted
in such way as to bring themselves
within its provisions, and
WHEREAS, The earnest of the good
conduct now promised, if carried sue
cessfully into practice, so as to convince
all men that it is no longer a necessity
to protect citzens of the State against
wrong and oppression, will by its fulfill
ment change and modify the views of all
lovers of liberty, justice and peace ;
therefore, he it
Resolred by the General Assembly Of
the State of Tennessee, That it is neither
the aim nor desire of this General As
sembly to force conflict of any charac-
ter Whatever, but regards it az its solemn
duty to clothe the Executive with ample
authority to protect the citizens of the
State, on any part of the State, against
violence to either person or property, or
both, como from whatever quarter it may.
Resolved, That with the people them
selves rests the settlement OF the ques-
ton as TO whether or not there shall 10
necessity for the Executive action con-
templated herein, and that the best evi-
denco vhieh can be given of tie co OPP
eratlen of all good citizens with the men
hereinbefore referred to will be found in
such q course of conduct 90 win preclude
the necessity of any resort to force to aid
in executing the laws Of the State and
giving protection to its inhabitants.
Resoiped, That should there be no me-
cessity for such Executive action, the
provisions and pledges referred to in the
foregoing preamble will have been made
good, and thereby the minds of all true
patriots will be favorably impressed as to
the removing of the restrictions imposed
by the franchise act, IN accordance with
the Constitution and laws made in pursu
auce thereof; and, although the present
may not be the proper time to take into
that very important mat.
ter, still the question is of such charac-
ter as will of necessity como up for con-
sideration hereafter, sad will be treated
with that attention which its importance
demands, and determined in such way
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