Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-29
Tsnnessee Legislature.

Tennessee LeE1lhture.
In the proceedings that occurred in the
Senate. August 24Ih, 9 communication
was read from George w. Allen, recitinp
the unlawful action Of the militia at the
;udicial election, in March last, in Sum-
ner couuty-the intention of the militia,
tia. no doubt being to influence the
eleotion in favor of the Radical candi-
date. The comm nication states that
the canvass was being quietly conducted
and little thought Of on the part oil the
people, when, three days before the eiec'
ton. to the great astonishment OF the
com immunity, an armed force made its ap-
nearance, commanded by an officer COM
missioned BY Gov. Brownlow. The man,
| Phillips. in command was waited upon
bv some of the most respectable citizens
and re a Vested to disbsnd his forces; the
psople were peaceable and orderly dis
nosed. and there was no occasion for his
armed force in their midst To all these
entreaties he turned deaf ear. The
neople then determined that the ballot
box should not be taken forcible posses
sion of, and the gallant commander,
seeing the determination OF the people,
withdrew his militia some little ways
from the polls, aud the election was
quietly conducted. ~ ~ ris (
"A Communication was at the same
time read, from the sheriff of Sumner
county, showing the peaceable disposition
of the people, and stating further that
the legal process of the law had never
beeu sought to be interfered with. Mr..
smith was not in favor of referring this
communication to a committee, as men
had been taken out in that county and
whipped. And yet men come up here
and say all is peacesble, and there is no
need OF calling out the militia.
Mr.. Lindsey said they were legislating
for the country, aud that people should
not be prohibited from the right OF petit
ton because they were rebels.
The Senate wanted all the information
on both sides that could be had, in order
TO make up q correct opinion. The thing
Of marching an armed body OF troops IN
the midst of o peaceable community was
terrible.
1t was objected by some others of the
Radical party that these communications
should be so much as referred to com
mittee, but upon final vote they were
referred by IL ayes to noes.
Mr.. Garner presented the following
resolution:
Resolved by the Senate, the House
concurring, That joint select commit
tee, to consist of one on the part OF the
Senate, and - on the part of the House,
be appointed to wait upon His Excellency
Andrew J Johnson, President of the United
States, and present fully before him the
present condition of affairs in this State,
and urge upon him to take steps to give
protection TO the law-abiding citizens of
the State under the provisions of the Gen.
stitution of the United States. Referred
to the Committee on Federal Relations.
House bill No. IL, to pay certain ac-
counts in connection with the former
State militia, was referred TO the Com
mittee on Military Affairs.
Senate bill No 3, to preserve the pub
lie peace, came MP on second reading.
Mr.. Rogers offered an amendment,
which gives the Governor full power to
appoint any number of detectives he
shall deem necessary, to hunt out and
inform on all persons guilty under the
provisions of the act, and provides that
the detectives shall receive reward in
each case Of not less than one hundred
dollars, nor more than one thousand
dollars. Referred to the Committee on
Military Affairs 90
Senate bill No. ITO defray the ex-
penses of the General Assembly; passed
over informally. 1901 fa0i.ar
House bill No. l5-To preserve the
public peace, came up on its first reading.
Mr.. Lindsey said il was passed in the
House on double-quick time, and that
come of the opponents wished to have it
rsconsdered 10 the morning He, there
fore, moved to pass It over infor mally.
Mr.. Smith moved to lay that motion
on the table. Hostages, 8; noes, 10.
Mr.. Smith moved to amend the motion
to pass over informally by passing the
bill on its first reading.
Mr.. Cate was not in favor Of passing
the bill through under the whip, but
wished to give it thorough eonsidera-
ton.