Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-11-30
TENNESSEE LEGISLATURES.
SENATE,

Il
/ members of the Finance Committee, ex-
cept myself Standing solitary and alone in
| this case, I feel it due to myself to offer a
few reasons for my course, without intend
ing 10 cast any reflection upon the other
members of the committee. A few weeks
| since, a resolution to sustain the credit of
the State. was unanimously adopted by the
Senate, thereby making known to the
world that we did intend to pay all just
claims against the State. thought that
was a step in the right direction. The
| Legislature has passed at the present ses-
| sion bill to prohibit the issuance of any
more State bonds for new enterprises,
thereby stopping the principal cause OF
our present financial troubles, which act
received my approval. Then bill passed
the Senate TO repeal the Common School
law, which reluctantly supported as
financial necessity This done, l
| thought the path for me was plain,
that is to let the present revenue laws re-
main where they are, at least for few
| years to see what amount would be left in
| the Treasury above current expenses, to
meet the most urgent claims against the
| State; but whilst indulging in this fond
hope, I am met with this bill by the com
nittee proposing to reduce the tax one
half on all taxable property and one-ffth
| on polls. s..
1 Now, how, with this reduction IN the
! revenue Of the State, can youmeet the cur
rent expenses and provide anything for the
| payment Of debts already too long deferred?
/ Gloomy and dry as it is, viii briefly state
some of the liabilities that should be met.
| As shown by the Comptroller's report, the
outstanding debts against the State not in
| GLIDING the current expenses, on the LIST OF
| October, 1870, will be Sc, S99, 80. Add to
this the amount claimed by Messrs. Ward
| & briggs, lessees of the Penitentiary, S207,
4 300. Also add the probable debt to various
i parties for supplies furnished the Peniten-
/ tiary $50. 900, and add TO this the probable
cost Of holding the State convention in
January next, $3.50, 1000, all of which
amounts added together make total OF
| 1906 GlO.
| The receipts in the Treasury under the
present rate of taxation for the fiscal year
| ending Oct. !, 1869, including the
balance in the Treasury at that date,
amounted to 81, SG3, 00i 80. The dis
bursements for the same time were
s., 1874, 355 Al, leaving a balance in the
treasury on the LIST of October, 1863, OF
S2S, 649 ~, which balance, together with
the receipts since, has all been absorbed
by current expenses. A few days since,
the Treasurer called on the Chairman OF
the Finance Committee, urging him to
favor the passage of a joint resolution au-
thorizing him to borrow 1925, 900, stating
that the machinery of the State govern
ment had come to full stop for want of a
lubricator Now, as there is every prospect
that the current expenses will not be great
ly diminished for the year 1870, l should
like to know how the friends of reduction
| of taxes expect to meet more than three
fifths of the States current expenses for
the next year?
1 | doubt the reasoning of those who con-
tend that the old issues of the Bank of TEL
nessee will flow gradually into the hands of
the tax collectors. My opinion Is that they
will be presented in large amounts, and
/ may reach one-half if not more, of the re-
| ceipts of the treasury. l am told the fax
payers of the State cannot pay their taxes
at the present rates. Permit me here TO
say, as the result of long experience and
observation, that there has not been a
period for the last 20 years when the people
of Tennessee were so free from individual
indebtedness; and from the many indica-
tions that are to be seen all around me, 1
am led to believe that the people
of the State never were in a more
favorable condition to commence pro-
viding for the payment of our
debts, which feel we are legally, morally
and rehgiously bound to pay
NEW BILLS
BY Mr.. Cubbins-A bill to incorporate
the Shelby County Savings Institute.
Passed first reading and referred to Com
mittee on interpretations.
BY Mr.. Clementson-A bill to incorpO-
rate the Riceville Scientiical Institute.
Passed and referred to Committee on In
corporations.
| BY Mr.. Etheridge-A bill to limit the
fees of sheriffs in criminal cases. The bill
provides that sberiffs or coroners summon
ing juries shall not receive a sum exceed
ing three dollars. Passed first reading and
referred to Judiciary Committee
AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL FUND.
The action of the House in concur
ring in the action of the Senate in striking
out the two last paragraphs of a resolution
| appointing committee to investigate the
condition of the Agricultural school fund
was made the special order for tomorrow
ri II o'clock.
/ HOUSE RESOLUTIONS.
Inquiring into what disposition has been
made of the stock belonging to the State
in certain railroads and tuTnpikes, was
| concurred in. and Mr.. Pearson appointed
on the committee on the part of the Senate
To investigate the present condition o
the school fund, was concurred in, ant
Messrs. McFall and EtheTidge were ap
pointed the committee on the part of the
Senate.
HOUSE BILLS ON THIRD READING
To repeal an act inflicting penalties upor
common carriers. Passed
To amend an act creating tine Office 0
County Judge for Lincoln county Passed
BEACH GROVE ACADEMY.
House bill to incorporate the Beacl
Grove Male and Female College, passed it
first reading.
CANDIDATES OATH.
House amendments to Senate bill requir
ing candidates to take certain oath wer
concurred in.
SENATE BILLS ON THIRD READING.
Authorizing the Attorney General to dis
HISS ttEltll bult7 III AhO VI VIZ '''tA'N
against citizens. Passed
TO validate the official acts of VIM. Mon
row. Clerk of the County Court of jackson
county. Passed.
To dispose of certain clothing, etc, be
| longing to the State Passed.
To reduce taxes on real estate and pen
sonal property, passed by the followin
vote:
Aves-Messrs. Clementson, Cubbins
| Eason. Etheridge, Greene, Hall, Have.
Luttren, Martin, Millsaps, Morris, McFall
Nelson, Peyton, Pearson, Self and Slaugh
{ ter-17
Noes-Messrs. Cason, Cooper, of Bedford
S Cooper of Davidson, Faulkner, Palmer
5 Hart, and Speaker Thomas.
= Mr.. Etheridge moved to reconsider til
4 | vote passing the bill, and then moved I
; Law that motion on the table, but afte
I ward withdrew the latter motion in ordt
p to allow Senators to discuss the matter.
MIR. Cooper, of Bedford, hoped the mC
ton to reconsider would not be laid on II
table.
Mr.. Etheridge then spoke in favor of Ia
motion and the bill. By his request "
give no report of his remarks.
Mr. Slaughter-Mr Speaker: This,
o. concede. sir, is one of the most importal
a subjects perhaps that will come before OF
y body for legislation. 1t is subject
e which the taxpayers of this State are mo-
interested in than all others. And let II
Il say to you to- day, you may say what ye
:, please in regard to all the disturbing ell
n ments of the infamous franchise law tn
= has existed in tins State since the war, bu
/ sir, tell You the time has never been
/, this State since the war, that the tax-paye
= of the country felt that degree of intere
: in voting, that they did in the economy
opr fnances-and only desired that gre
=, privilege that was guaranteed to every fire
man by the constitution of our State,
order to change the material that had be,
Il been running and squandenng the mea
/ of our State-and this is accomplished to