Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-12-02


cover from the shocks of the late devasta-
ting war, by buying up this money at from
Is to 80 cents on the dollarf during the
war they put it up and down at viii; and
nov when It is ali in the hands of the few,
we are gravely asked to tax our people to
still further enrich the monied sharks.
Even with the passage OF my bill, they will
make an immense sum. This money viii
be demanded by the debtors Of the
Bank to pay of their indebted
ness and they will be compelled
to pay at least fifty or sixty cents in
the dollar for it. l ask, In all seriousness,
is that not sufficient profit made by the
few at the expense of the maDyf But we
may be told that parties will htigate this
question with us, and our law viii be proba-
Div declared unconstitutional. OF this /
have no fear. But suppose that should be
the case-but few people have any of this
money, and do not want to htigafe this
question. Let the few who may desire to
do so, Htigate; it will take two years
likely or more to get their litiga-
ton through the courts, and in the
mean time, by pressing your bank colec-
lections. Won will have taken up every dol
lar of this money; and should the court
which | do not believe, decide this ques-
ton against us, it will be a barren de-
cision0a victory without spoils. SO let the
decision be what it might, you would save
| between four and five millions Of dollars
Mr.. Etheridge moved to lay on the table
the motion to reconsider the vote passing
the bill to reduce the tax ON personal proper
| ty and real estate. Hostages Z, noes Is.
The motion TO reconsider then prevailed
by vote of ayes ii, noes II.
Mr.. Etheridge moved to lay the bill on
the table Carried-Ayes 10, noes u.
Mr.. Luttrell, having voted under mis-
apprehension, moved a reconsideration,
! which was lost
Ayes - Messrs. Clementson, Eason,
Etheridge, Greene, Luttrell, Martin, Mill
saps, Morris, Nelson, Peyton, Pearson,
and Slaughter-l2.
Noes-Messrs. Bryant, Cason, Cooper,
of Bedford, Cooper, of Davidson, Cubbins,
Faulkner, Hall, Hart, Halves, McFall,
Palmer, Self and Speaker Thomas-lS.
| SENATE BILLS ON THIRD READING.
To incorporate Athens Female Seminary.
| Passed.
To incorporate an italian Society at
Memphis. Passed.
4
| Passed.
To amend the revenue laws of the State
| by leving an additional tax of so pei
centum than now levied by law
Mr.. Etheridge moved to lay the bill on
the table. Carried-Ayes IT, noes Z.
To incorporate the Riceville Scientifcal
Institute Passed
Senate bill fixing the rate of taxation on
merchants, farmers and polls, reducing tax
| to twenty per cent on every 800 taxable
property, 81 on polls and : per cent on
merchandise, invoiced at cost, purchased in
| the State, was taken up.
Mr. Morris hoped the bill would pass,
as it was different bill from the others
acted upon by the Senate, and the people
who have been groaning under the heavy
burden of taxation need relief He main
tanned that the true policy of the Legisla-
ture would reduce the taxes to such point
that will barely meet the current expenses
of the government. Let the people rest
for few years from the payment Of such
| enormous taxes. He was no advocate OF
reputation. The people were not able to
| pay their taxes, and as evidence of this, 90
to any Courthouse almost and they would
see land for sale, for the reason that the
owners were not able to pay the taxes up
on it.
Mr.. Nelson said that it had become pro
verbal throughout the State that the voice
of the people was the voice of God. Gro
where they pleased and they would hear a
universal cry against high taxes. The
voice of the people demand a reduction
in the present rate of taxation. He be-
lieved that reduction in taxes would he
the stepping stone to prosperity
Mr.. Cooper of Davidson, said that the
| question under discussion was the most i'm
portant that would come before this body
| during the session He could not conceive
how the postponement of the payment Of
| a debt, with an accommodating interest
thrown upon the people, will be to then
relief II they intend to say to the credi-
tors, Make your money if you can, then
there may be something in the argument
of the Senators urging a reduction OF
taxes. 1t behooves Senators to look well
to proposition looking to the dishonoI
of the people. They were there as the
chivalrous representatives of the people Of
the State of Tennessee. There was nc
person who would do any thing TO relieve
the people sooner than he would, but the
debts had been created and it behooves
Senators to meet them Ike men and patri-
OTIS. If he had been in the Legislature fol
the last few years he would have beer
found voting against the creation of thest
debts. In no emergency would he, un
der any circumstances. vote for the repudi
alton or refusal to pay the public
debt; he would sink into oblivion foreve
I 10 IL
of the people whom he represented.
had been announced by Senators that, IL
certain contingencies, they would be il
favor Of repudiating the debt. For one, b
never would be, let it act as it may upol
the people; because he believed that hon
esty in public affairs was as much to be de
sired as in private affairs. Under no con
sideration would he ever vote, either as
citizen or as Senator, to refuse to pay an
debt contracted by the authorities of til
State of Tennessee, or any other State 1
which he may be citizen. If they woul
advocate the doctrine to never pay the deb
then he could see some force in the argT
ment of Senators to reduce the tax; bu
so long as you advocate the doctrine to pa
the debt, the postponement of it, in h
! Judgment, afforded no relief. I'll
people of Tennessee would rathC
bear the burdens of taxation tia
refuse to pay the debt. He Wi
: proud to believe that his col
l stituents, unjustly taxed as they wer
would never endorse an action on his pa
looking to a refusal to meet the public il
I debtedness. 1t was argued that the prop,
= sition pending for the consideration of Il
Senate was not Reputation. He was at
loss to see the difference between Il
= proposition and an actual proposition
Il repudiate the debt.
Mr. Slaughter offered q bill in lieu,
equalize and better secure the revenue
{ the State. This bill provides for a redu
" ton of twenty-five per cent. on real estat
, personal property, merchants, etc.
Mr.. Hall moved to postpone the who
subject under consideration until ne
! Friday
D Mr.. Etheridge moved to lay that motto
> on the table. Lost.
= The motion to postpone was also lost
ayes -, noes Is.
Mr.. Etheridge moved to lay the bill {
- fered III lieu on the table. Carried-ay
. 10, noes -.
: The previous question was then d
" manded, which was the passage of the b
Z and sustained. The bill was then reject
4 by the following vote:
- Ayes-Messrs Clementson, Eason, ct
~ eridge, Greene, Luttrel, Martin, MillsaI
- Morris, Nelson, Palmer, Peyton and Slaug
- | ter-l2.
:, Noes-AIessrs. Bryant, Cason, Cooper
ys Bedford, Cooper of Davidson, Cubbi1
- Faulkner, Hail, Hart, Halves, McFa
Pearson, Self and Speaker Thomas-13.
. Mr.. Cooper, of Bedford, moved to
e consider the motion rejecting the bill a
:! then moved to lay the motion on the tab
- The latter motion was lost.
g The motion to reconsider the vote reie
4, ing the bill prevailed, ayes 14-noes II.
10 Mr.. Cooper, of Davidson, moved to
1 IT fer the bill to the Finance Committee.
In Pending the motion, MIR. Morris Offer
ho an amendment that all officers OF the Leg
bf lative, Executive and Judicial departmel