Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-11-16

neSSe6. IaSSeu
Bv Mr.. Spear-A bill TO authorize
| VIM, Foster, of Bledsoe Comfy, to build
| a turnpike across Walden Ridge. Passed
BY Mr.. Fleming-A resolution requiring
Samuel Watson. trustee Of the Bank of
Tennessee, to burn the notes OF that bank
| now in his possession, which have been
| redeemed. and appointing joint commit
| tee to superintentend the burning. Refer
| red to the Committee on Ways and Means.
: By Mr.. Fleming-A bill for the sale of
| DELINQUENT railroads of the State. The
| first section makes it the duty of the Comp
| troller to inform the Governor of those
roads falling to nav the interest due the
| State. and the Governor shall direct the
| Announcement to file bill against such
railroad companies in the Chancery Court
of the Chancery District in which such
companies NAV have their principal place
| of business. for the purpose of having sold
by decree such roads. The other sections
| give the details incident 70 the sale Of such
roads. Passed and referred to the Judicia-
nv Committee and 500 copies ordered
| printed.
By Mr.. Slack-To amend the school laws
! of the State. Passed.
By Mr.. Townsend-A bill to incorporate
| the Exchange Bank of Memphis. Passed
By MIR. Walker-A bill to fix tho license
| OF retail liauor-dealers. IL provides that
| in towns with a population of less than
| IL 900. not incorporated, the tax shall be
$25: in towns with populations of less than
| !. 600 inhabitants. $35; for over 5000 in
habitants, $50.
By Mr.. West-A bill to encourage the
| propagation of fish in the waters of the
| State.
By MIR. wilson-A bill for the relief of
D. F. Chappell of Maury county The
bill was accompanied by petition. Passed.
By Mr.. James of Hamilton--A bill to
| reduce the State tax on theateTs, and sup
| press RIGHTEOUSNESS and drinking at places
| of amusement. Passed.
By Mr.. Perkins-A resolution requiring
the Comptroller and Treasurer to receive,
in payment of interest due by any railroad
in the State, any bonds of the State that
may be due before the maturity of such in
terest Laid over.
By Mr.. Steele-A resolution providing
that members having leave of absence, ex-
cept for sickness of themselves or families,
shall receive no pay for the time they are
absent Rejected-yeas %, noes 80.
BY Mr. Rhea-A bill to amend the char
ter of Edgefield.
This is the same bill as that published
in last Thursdays issue.
Passed and referred to the Committee on
Corporations. ...
THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
Mr.. James of Hamilton, from the Com
mittee on Federal Relations, submitted
report on the resolution for the ratification
of the fifteen amendment, recommending
- 81 = h.
port
MAJORITY REPORT.
A majority of the committee have in
structed me to recommend the rejection Of
House joint resolution ratifying the fifteenth
amendment for, among many, the following
reasons:
l. There is no necessity for it the States |
are fully empowered to extend suffrage to
any and all This power is fully recognized |
by the constitution of the United States, |
article !, section 3, clause l.
2. Because it was proposed, passed and /
submitted at time when the public mind /
was not in a condition to weigh and con-
slider it with that calmness and deliberation /
its importance required.
3. Because its ratification is sought by i
the least popular method known to the con-
stitution of the United States, while it pro-
poses to effect great radical change IN the
nature and principles of our form of gov
eminent.
4. II is class legislation of the most obi
ous character. 1t singles out the colored
race as its special wards and favorites; and
upon them it confers its immunity, bestows
its bounty, confers its affection and seals
its love
.. 1t is inexpedient, because it will be-
come bone of contention in all future
time, and the subject of ceaseless agitation
in the halls of Congress and before the
people. One Congress will think our
mode of legislation appropriate and
another Congress will think different
mode appropriate" to enforce said fif-
teenth amendment
G. 1t leads inevitably to a concession of
all sovereign power to the Legislative /
branch of the Federal Government, and
consequently is destructive of the rights of
States, and tends to consolidation and des-
potism.
:. 1t is submitted for the voluntary
ratification of some of the States, while its
ratification by others is compelled by mill
tary power.
s. Its passage by the Congress of the
StillSN tOtttbCoY anu 10 ohpAAA~hoACA% ~ 49,
Legislatures of the different States, is IN
violation of the 9TH article of the constitu-
ton it proposes to amend.
MINORITY REPORT.
Mr. Baker, of Hancock, submitted mi
nority report, favOring the ratification OF
the proposed amendment, and declaring
that in his opinion, there never has been
any sufficient reason why the right of suf-
frage-the broadcast, grandest and most sa-
cred of all the political rights of the Ameri-
can citizen-should be left to the whim
and caprice of local legislation
On motion, the reports were made the
special order for tomorrow at IL o'clock.
THE CONVENTION BILL.
Mr.. Barry, from the Committee of Con-
ference on the Convention bill, reported /
that said committee had agreed ON the basis
of Is delegates, to be elected according to
the representative and foterial apportion-
ment of 1852, and that the time for the
election of delegates be on the third Saturday |
in December, and the time for holding the /
Convention the second Monday in January. |
Mr. Fleming moved that the report
be concurred in. Carried-ayes "a; noes 3.
On motion, it was directed that the Sen
ate be informed of said concurrence.
Adjourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning.