Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-28
TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE.

IENNEooEE LE6loLAIUhEs
In the House, August 25th, Mr.. Pros
ser, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, announced that the committee
was not yet prepared to make final re
port, but that he had been instructed Ia
report the following bill in lieu of all 9th
ers, which had been referred to the COM
mitlee, with the recommendation that il
pass:
A bill TO be entitled IAN act TO enforce the
Laws Of the State"
WHEREAS, There exists in this State
lawless bands Of desperadoes, who are
setting at defiance civil law, and by
threats and acts of violence are forcing
many of our citizens to leave their homes I;
and,
WHEREAS, In certain localities it is
entirely impossible for the civil officers
of the State to enforce the laws thereof;
in order that the supremacy of the law
may be maintained, and that peace and
prder may prevail, therefore.
/ SRcTIoY ]. Be ii enacted by the Gen.
trat Assembly of the State of Tennessee,
pat the Governor be and he is hereby
thorized and empowered to organize,
| e1ip and call into active service, at his
oeretion, volunteer force to be known
asle Tennessee State Guards" to be
coposed of one or more regiments from
e@ Congressional District of the State;
| proded always, that said Tennessee
otatiuards shall be composed of loyal
menyho shall take and subscribe an
oatn support the Constitution of the
Uni~States and the Constitution of the
state Tennessee.
oE@. Be ii further enacted, That
the 81 Guards authorized under the
proyisIs of this act shall be governed
oy tne Used rules and regulations of
the Unft States.
oEo. ,dPe ID further enacted, That the
oonIroi' of the State shall issue his
warrant n the Treasurer, payable to
in the opirn of the Governor actually
necessarily the organization, equip
ment' iran srtatien and support of said
c,ate uuaFnot to exceed the sum of |
my thousa dollars at any one time,
funds in theeasurv not otberw;se an.
pAouiJ nOb Wiot dp-
propriated, amount 80 drawn from
tne treasury be replaced as hereinafter
provided.
SEC. A. Bel further enncted That
tne uoverno1 and he is hereby en-
powered 10 dhre martial law in any
county or COY les of the State for the
protecsion ahdRfety of the citizens
'nereo'' auu 10 9rter said troops within
any county or coties so declared under
naruai law, ihkh number as may be
necessary ior tneVeservation of peace
ana tne protecioE the lives of citizens
.nereoi' anu, lurTmore, as it is right
ana proper that tnk nkeaceable and law
spiuing citizens DIV State should not
oe neid responsipie e,euffer loss for the
violent acts of SUCH Ehnlent on,mpn;-
ties, it shall be the dl of the Governor
to assess and collectk, ff;c;ent amonnt
lor 'ne ,uii payment fid State Guards :
~ on pioy gu ou' ol S'founty or coun- !
vided for in sections II and fonr of an I
act passed February lIS6s cbanter
xxxiii, entitled IAN 10 amend nm c
act for the protection oter;frs - oto
SEC. 5. BE ii. further Wei That M a
member Of the State Guk calIad into
service under this act shah Sanr;ved of =
his right to vote in any and elact;ons in
which he shall be entitled tte and that .
it shall be the duty of ofiici cicommand- b
ing regiments, battalions oT,nan;os N n
open and hold elections irbir camns u
"a tne same nanrep as s done by L
commissioners oil heSl6trAt ond m | is
port the same to the Secretary state G
SEC. 6. Be ii further enaci That all L
laws ana parts o, laws III eict with !.
this act are repealed, and thi ict shall q
take effect and be in force frob bd after Z,
its passage. N
The Speaker: In what condi il the o.
bill2 tt
Mr.. Prosssr: On its third real al
The Speaker: If this bill doek con- W
stitute final report, do not UNI Itand al
the matter. a.
Mr.. Prosser: The final report " Sake Ia
showing to the House and theblic ~ ~
genera'Iy as 10 the necessity OF ling u
Mr.. Ryder, from the Committee In.
itary Affairs, made the following mity ca
report ~
Mr.. SPEAKER: The special CONNIE Il,
appointed to take into consideration ao
part Of the Governors message refek
to the militia, have had under consiS pc
ton the various bills presented TO
House, and a minority Of said commit on
would respectfully report; That the
passed February /, 1868, for the prot M
tiou Of Sheriffs, etc, and the act pasA III
March l3, 1868, to organize aud equiPeu
State Guard, give to the Governor ~ !
necessary power to protect all the ciEf
zens ofthis State, and that no further let :
islation is required. In support Of thin
opinion is given the following communip
cation from one Of the ablsst Generals q
the United States army, an oficer wbouf
the citizens Of this State feel proud iol
honor, and whom, at the State Republi-l
can Convention Of February, 1867. they
declared their first choice for President Of
he United States.
HEADoU4KrEEs DrFr. OF THrCUNHERlaxD.
LoVIsvILLE. kr., June -, 1855.
10 Hi- Excellency W. @. Brownlor. Governor
ofIennersoe, krorrille. Iennossees
Sra: Referring 10 my letter Of the 18th
instant TO you, ! have the honor to inform