Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-12-15

| titled to the thanks OF tno people OF ZEN
pessee for the impardality, dignity and
| Rrmness, manifested during his term as
United States District Judge.
On motion of Mr.. Cheatham, the resolu
ton was adopted unanimously, under a
suspension Of the rules
By Mr.. Smith, resolution appointing
a Joint committee to investigate as to what
eonvicts in the penitentiary are entitled to
Executive clemency, SO as to relieve that
oyer-crowded institution. Laid over.
By Mr.. Jones-A bill to repeal an act
Incorporating the Memphis Abstract Com
pany. Passed.
By Mr. Baber-A bill to incorporate the
Bank of Gallatin Passed.
THE CINCINNATI SOUTHERN RAILROAD BILL.
The consideration of the Cincinnati
Southern railroad bill, being the special or
der, the bill was taken up.
| Mr.. James of Hamilton, made some re-
marks in favor of the bin, arguing that the
proposed road would vastly help to develop
the resources of Tennessee, and in other
WAYS contribute to building up the interests
of the State.
Mr.. Spears followed in the same direc-
ton, combating the constitutional objec-
tons of Mr.. Fleming, and contending that
the building of the road could not be other
wise than blessing to the State. Il would
be n qlaring absurdity to refuse the right
of way to road which did not ask cent
of money from us, while we have given
millions to help build other roads in the
State.
The first question was on the adoption of
Mr.. Rheas amendment, providing for the
appointment of three persons who would
look after the interests Of the State and the
people living along the line of the road
Mr.. Smith moved to lay the amendment
on the table. Carried-ayes, 40; noes, q.
Mr.. Whites amendment, that the State
shall have the same legislative control in
this road that it holds in other roads in the
State, was next taken up.
Mr., James of Hamilton moved to lay it
on the table, but Withdrew his motion.
Mr.. Rosson proposed as an amendment
to the amendment that the Trustees OF the
road shall pay to the State of Tennessee
the sum of % cents for each through pas
senger, said money to be used for the
benefit of common schools in this State
Mr.. McElwee moved to lay Mr.. RosSon's
amendment on tho table Carned-ayes,
80; noes, 90.
Mr.. Whites amendment was then taken
up Its author commended earnestly for its
adoption, saying it would be a most suici-
dial policy for the State to allow 100 miles
Of railway to run through its soil, without
first making some provision for retaining
some Legislative control over said road.
Mr.. Speaker Perkins said that nearly
every lawyer in the House was opposed to
the bill on grave constitutional grounds.
These objections had not been answered
in a single instance, and yet every amend
ment that is proposed is summarlly voted
down without allowing debate or discus
sion. When argument is adduced why the
bill should not pass, We are met with the
fiippant assertion that Mr.. Cooper says 1t
| is constitutional. That is the principal
argument brought forward in Its favor,
that Mr.. Cooper says it is all right. This
House should be governed by different
considerations in question of such gravity
as this. Nearly every man on the fool
would vote for this bill if it was properly
amended He hoped its friends would not
rush it through in this hasty manner
Mr. Fleming followed. He entered hi:
earnest protest against the conduct of tht
active supporters in attempting to STIFF
discussion b. summary motions. He saiC
such a course WAS but in keeping with thu
outgoings of the newspaper organs of thu
: scheme. As a specimen, he read the fol
, | lowing extract from an editorial article from
! the Chattanooga Republican, published
soon after it became known that the Judi
ciary Committee here agreed to recommen'
the rejection of the bill:
"Of one thing we feel assured, and tina
, is, if the people of Cincinnati cannot ge
the charter as they want it they will tax
none. They do not stand in the positlo
II of beggars. They ask no favOTs espec
/, ally; c,,. .. h.,
:, lust this to say, Stand on your dignity; don
allow few shifting pimps in legislativ
body force you from a position which 20
have taken, knowing it to be the right ont
: and after the Legislature finds that yo
= mean what you say, and are not going
4, be triAed with, they will grant the chart'
n YOU ask, for to refuse 1t will be to conslg
them who vote against it to political obi
ion, and they know it.
Mr. Fleming commented at some lengl
49, upon this, and called especial attention
" the fact that Cincinnati is determined
= have the right of way upon her own terms
:. not at all, and he appealed to members
y, the course of the advocates of the measu
- did not clearly demonstrate that the int
- ests of Cincinnati alone were to be pr
~ NOTED, while every attempt to protect q
~ people of Tennessee against the graspn
oo and exclusive policy of that city Is N
- with furious opposition. He again call
"A attention to the fact that the passage
:, this bill in its present shape would be
. iualitv, so far as future legislation is co
~ ce1ned, for it seeks 10 confer a right IN p,
:. Dcfun,a. 1t has no limitation whatev,
-, and our children, and their children af
them could not shake off the oppressio
40 of such monopoly, should not the con
~ intervene to hold the act invalid.
he Mr.. Nicks thought the bill of such gr'
importance that its consideration should
postponed until after the Constitution
o Convention, and he would therefore me
=. that il be deferred until the first Monday
he February.
=. Mr.. James, OF Hamilton, said the amel
ments would haze been received differen
mo- if they were offered in good faith, but it
mo happened that they were proposed W
raT special reference to defeating the BILL 6
as such they were not entitled TO mi
ota | consideration. He continued at so
Oh length in defense of the general features
al, the bill, remarking that it would have
oyy warmer champion than the gentleman fr
in Knox if its Tennessee terminus had b.
Il Knoxville instead of Chattanooga. He c
cluded by saying he would accept
amendment of Mr. White if it was
&c amended as to allow the State the sa
control in the road that it now has in OF
WAS roads of the State in which it has no ste
ker Mr. Rosson hoped the matter would
,,outDopnJ until after the Convention.
Mr.. Hornberger said he was in favo
,ltI- the proposed railroad, but would be c.
re- PEELED to vote against the bill in its pres
Dad shape. 1t claimed privileges and L
larry chises which no State could afford to
It without first reserving some control I
the road. He argued at some length
the bill was manifestly unconstltutIo
y OF For the Legislature TO grant what Is claI
81 d. in this bill would be a most suicidal a.
'olu- grievous wrong TO the people OF this 81
as tie would not oppose bill lncorpora
end the road, but to allow it to pass unit
The meled through Tennessee, taking &
the the sovereign power OF the
over its own territory, was 81
Mon thing SO monstrous that be was feign Il
e of lieve the members of this House c
the never so far betray the interests of the
led a ple they represented as TO vote for it.
unity bill as this was never before presents
and Legislative body. He continued at
e en- siderable length, mainly presenting the
that stitutional objections to the bill, ant
labor secting that document section by sec
nent, Before he had concluded his speec
vern- House adjourned until o'clock to-mo
right morning.
Ne to THE VISIT TO MRS. PRESIDENT POLK
which Before adjournment the Speaker
twill pointed Messrs. Jones, Spears and n
ound the Committee on Ceremonies, to act
Y be the Senate committee, in connection
ex or the visit of the Legislature to Mrs
noWl, dent Polk.
male
stitu- ,,rito, !, tba II