Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-01-23
ASSEMBLY,.
Condensed Summary OF the Pro-
ceedings OF Wednesday.


NASHVILLE, January %, 1863.
By Mr.. Wisener: Resolution instruct
Ing the Committee on Common Schools
to examine Snd ascertain the amount Of
the school fund which constituted 8 part
OF the capital OF the Bank Of Tennessee,
and reported a bill authorizing the issu-
ncs OF State bonds, with or without
coupon interest, payable semi-snnually,
for the benefit Of tae common schools.
Laid over under the rules.
The following Senate bills were laid on
the table snd rejected on second reading /:
Three bills relating TO the establish
ment Of agricultural colleges.
= bill to enable the Governor to fill
vacancies.
And a bill to abolish the office OF Re-
ceiver Of railroads, were laid on the Ia
Die.
A bill to cause the erection Of school
houses.
A bill to appoint g railroad Assessor.
A bill to make Deputy Con5tstles give
the same bonds as q Constable.
And 3 bill 10 amend the franchise law
were rejected.
Bsa+e.
PROPOSED IMPEACHMENT OF JUDGE
HOUK.
Mr.. Agee presented a petition from
citizens Of the 17th Judicial Circuit, rep
~resenting that they are favorable 10 the
execution Of the laws OF the State, hold
ing that the welfare OF the State re-
Quires q sober and upright Judiciary,
charging that L. Z. Hcuk, the Judge Of
that circuit is an habitual druUkafd, and
consequently unfit for the position, and
calling for his removal, either by i'm.
parchment or joint resolution. Judge
HOuk is also charged in the petition
with being an inidel, and lewd in his
habits.
Mr.. COrdell desired TO present q memo
rial from the accused befJrc the reading
Of the resolution which accompanied
the petition.
Alter considerable discussion as to the
proper course 10 pursue, the resolution
was read as follows:
WHEREAS, A petition has been pre-
sented to this body, signed by thirty
three citizsTs of the county Of Camp.
bell, including the entire Grand Jury of
said court, eC1panneled at the Circuit
Court Of said county at its last term,
charging L. G. HOuk, the presiding
Judge of said county, aud assigned to
hold the courts OF the Seventeenth Judi
I NA6A SaAAAAAf WIN o0itla OAunhHHuEod
and drunkenness during the sitting of his
court, and with misconduct since he has
been acting IS aJudge, uniting him for
that station and
Whereas, The misconduct alleged 10
said petition, if true, is of such a grave
nature, whea brought against 3 judicial
officer OF the State, that it iustifas and
demands an investigation by the House,
to the end that IL this body is satisfied of
the charges it may determine whether it
will bring articles Of Impeachment
agsiEst Judge HOuk therefore
Be It resolved By the House Of Repre-
seRtdtiUes, That ssid petition be referred
to O special committee, to be composed
OF seven members OF this House, which
committee shall investigate the alleged
misconduct of Judge l.. c.. Houk, and
shall be authorized to eiectits own ehsir-
man, and, ST its discretion, may appoint
a subcommittee to proceed to the 18th
Judicial Circuit and inquire into the
matters alleged in said petition.
Be it further resolved, That said COM
mittee be empowered to send for persons
and papers, and, if satisfied OF the al
legged misconduct, to report articles of
impeachment or such action as the pre-
IIminary proof taken by said committee
shall seem to warrant.
The memorial from Judge Houk was
then read, IN which be denies ell the
charges preferred against him, strongly
intimates that the movement to Dust
him from the Bench was prompted by
mere political animosity and personal
hatred, and reflects very severely on
MIR. Agee, the member by whom the Pc
titiOn was presented.
The reflections Ia the memorial with
regard to Mr.. Agee's motives in present.
ing the petition gave rise to q rather
warm discussion.
The Speaker suggested that the portion
referring to Mr.. Agee was out OF order
and should be struck out.
; Mr.. Welsh contended that Judge Houk