Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-02-03
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

L
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVE
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 2.-The House was
called to order at $50 o'clock, Mr.. Speaker
Perkins in the chair. Prayer by DIR.
| Wharton
Mr.. Thomas presented petition from
farmers of Williamson county, asking the
passage Of law making it compulsory
to have stock kept within their Enclosures.
Mr.. Fleming, from the Judiciary Com
mittee, submitted report recommending
the rejection Of the bills-''to punish va
grancy, ito exempt from penalties, for acts
perpetrated during the war, persons be-
longing to the Federal or Confederate ar
mics, and ito prevent parties from re
marrying antil certain period after di-
| Yorce"
| Mr.. Hinkle presented a petition asking
the Legislature to pass such an act as may
be necessary to compel signal lights to be
! displayed for steamers ON the bridges at
JOhnsonVille and Danville, on the Tennes-
| see river.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES.
In accordance with a resolution adopted
on Saturday, number of special commit
tees submitted reports.
Mr.. Hornberger, from the special com
mittee appointed to investigate the school |
fund fraud, stated that the committee had
not met owing to the fact that the chair |
man Of the committee, a member Of the |
Senate, had not called it together. The |
reason assigned for non-action is, that the |
investigation would require so much time |
and labor as to compel members Of the /
committee to neglect the interests Of their
constituents The committee expect to
commence the investigation after the Leg
islature adjOurns-
Mr.. Thomas, from the committee ap-
pointed to investigate railroads, reported
that the committee had met, but had taken
no action for the same reasons as submitted
above.
Mr.. Hornberger, from the committee APP
pointed to investigate the affairs Of the
Treasurer, submitted report that the
committee were satisfied that there had |
been no defalcaion on the part of said Off
cial, and that be had accounted for every
dollar expended.
Mr. White, from the committee ap-
pointed to investigate the complaints
against State officials. in connection with
the issuance Of certain bonds, stated that
on account Of the absence from the city Of
the Comptroller, the Secretary of State and
other important witnesses, they ask further
time to make report.
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION |
MIR. Fleming, from the special committee
appointed to investigate concerning the
publication of the last report of John Ea-
ton, Jr., Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton, submitted a report which states that
the publication Of said report, cost the
State between five and six thousand dol
lars, when it should not have cost over five
hundred dollars. The report further says
that the publication of such report, in
volving such an unnecessary outlay of pub
lie money, was glazing fraud, justly in
curing on the part of Eaton the seyerest
eensure of the people of Tennessee. Tho
committee, in conclusion, submitted res
olution severely consuming said John Eaton,
Jr., for the fraud perpetrated by him The
report was received and the resolution
adopted.
NEW BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.
BY Mr. Russell, of Hickman-A bill to
define the rights Of owners OF occupants of
farms along streams or water-cOurses.
Passed.
BY Mr.. Lackey-A bill 10 incorporate
Fuller Lodge of Masons in Lauderdale
county Passed.
BY Mr. White-A bill to amend the
charter of the Tennessee and Pacific Rail
road. Passed
by Mr.. Rhea-A joint resolution appoint
ing the Committees on Judiciary of both
houses a Joint committee TO investigate as
to whether the Legislature has the power
TO postpone the March election until alater
period. Adopted under a suspension of
the rules.
By Mr. Colyille-A bill making it the
duty of the Governor, Secretary of State,
Comptroller and Treasurer, or any three Of
them, to burn past due coupons of bonds
hereafter to be issued Passed.
BY Mr.. Enloe-A bill extending the cor
porate limits of the town of Mckenzie,
Carroll county. Passed |,
COMMUNICATION PROM THE GOVERNOR.
A communication from the Governor
was received and read, in reference to out
RACES in the State. 1t was referred to
special committee of five, and 100 copies
ordered printed. /
THE SCHOOL BILL
The House bill to amend the school law
was taken up as tire unfinished business
Mr.. Fleming withdrew his amendment
offered yesterday.
Mr.. Rhea offered an amendment, which
was adopted, that nothing IN the act OF
Dec. Ii, 1869, shall be so construed
as to allow the County Courts 10 levy and
collect for school purposes, any tax greater
than than that levied foT State purposes
As amended, the bill passed third reading.
r- BUSINESS CALLED UP.
On motion of Mr. Cheatham, Senate bill
to compensate persons who have furnished
supplies to the Penitentiary, was called up
and passed third reading.
TENNESSEE AND PACIFIC RAILROAD
Mr.. Fleming called up his motion to re-
consider the vote passing the bill to change
the terminus of the Tennessee and Paclhe
Railroad from Knoxville to Bristol, orsome
other convenient point, and earnestly
urged the House to reconsider its action.
Messrs. White, Slack and others argued
against reconsideration, the former moving
to lay the motion to reconsider on the
table. Carried-ayes, "a noes, Is.
A COMMUNICATION FROM THE CONVENTION.
Mr., Gardner, from the committe appoint
ed by the constitutional Convention to
wait on the General Assembly, submitted a
communication requesting the latter body
to promptly pass law changing the time
of the March election, from the first Satur-
day in that month TO the last Saturday.
On motion the matter was referred to the
Judiciary Committee; with instructions to
report a bill. .. ....
Adjourned until :3OP. NJ.
5 0 Afternoon session.