Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-10-07
THE TAX ON LAWYERS.
Meeting Of the Bar of Memphis.

Pursuant to a call made through the
different city papers, a large number OF
prominent members OF the Memphis
Bar, assembled in the Municipal Court
room, at four o'clock Pm, on the even
ing Of the 9Th inst, for the purpose CT
taking some action to resist in concert
the collections of the special tax OF thirty
dollars assessed upon lawyers by John
League, Clerk OF the County Court OF
Shelby county, under an act of the last
regular session OF the State Legislature 4;
when, upon motion Of Gen. John +.
Sale, Hon. J. Z r. Ray was called to
the chair, and H. G. Young appointed
Secretary.
The Chairman. In a brief and peril
nept address, explained the object and
purpose OF tho meeting, and In an elo-
quent and forcibie manner exposed the
unjust and oppressive character of the
Legislature, which imposes upon law
yers as 3 class a tax so burdensome and
unequal, compared with that to which
almost every other class Of citizens are
subjected, and is so repugnant to the
principle o; equal taxation Incorporated
in our fundamental laws
Several other leading members of the
Bar being loudly called for arose and
addressed the meeting st some length
upon the legal questions involved in an
organized resistance to any legal steps
that may be taken TO enforce the pay
ment of this tax until the matter can be
properly adjusted by the courts Of the
country.
On motion of Gen. VIM. Wallace, g
committee OF five was appointed, eon-
sistipg of the following gentlemen HoR.
p IT AarV1nua TyrN~o IIoaAA T.T L A
Pickett, Col. 7. B. Edgington and Col.
J.. b. Heiskell, to draft q preamble and
resolutions expressive of the sense OF the
meeting, who In y short time reported
the following:
WHEREAS, At the last regular session Of the
Tennessee Legislature an acL was passed r,qu-r-
ing attoIneysto pay a special tax Of thirty dol
lars Ior the privilege OF practicing their profess
WHEKEAs. John Losgue, County Court Clerk
OF rheioy county, has, under and by virtue vi
the said act OF the Legislstvrs, proceeded TO as
EeSs said tax and 10 issue distrts IS warrants for
the collection OF the same; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That we regard the above mentioned
act OF Tue Legislature as not only uDjuSs and
oppressive, but q paipa5le violation Of the Con-
stitution OF toe stale Of Tennessee, and should
not be enforced, and taat We VIII resist the pay
ment OF the tax thereby imposed in every law
iul and legitimate way.
ResoAcsd, That the chairman appoint a COM
mittAe OF seven members OF the bar 10 consult
together upoh the subject ana advise the course
proper TO pursue in testing before the courts the
validity of the law above mentioned, and that
they report the result or tneir deliberations ct
an adjourned meeting of the bar, TO be held in
the Municipal Court room, az -FOUR o'clock,
Wednesday evening, October 7th,
The chair appointed the following on
said committee: Col. J. B. HeisksI,
Hon. A. Wright, Col. d. K. McRae, Gen.
Gid. J. Pillow, Col. Z. NJ. Yerger, Judge
Heath and Gen. w. Y. c. Humes.
On motion, the secretary wasinstrueted
TO furnish a copy Of the proceedings OF
this meeting to the different city papers,
with q request to publish the same.
On motion, the meeting adjourned, to
meet again in the Municipal Court room
at four O'Clock, this "wednesday even
ing, at which time a full attendance of
the members OF the bar is requested.
J. E K. RAY, Chairman,
II. Z. YOUNG, Secretary.
October ., 1855.