Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-05-24
TENNESSEE LEGISLATURES.
SENATE.

MONDAY, May 23.-Senaie met at II
O'Clock this morning, Mr.. Speaker
| Thomas in the chair. 49, atf
HOUSE RESOLUTIONS.
House resolution directory TO the CON-
mittees of the House and Senate on In
corporations, and constituting them a
| joint Committee to draft and report to the
General Assembly general law as pro-
vided for by section s, article XI, of the
New Constitution, prohibiting the Legis-
lature from creating any corporation, OF
increasing or diminishing the powers OF
corporations by special law, was amended
by substituting the Judiciary Committees
of the two Houses, and coneurred in.
House resolution directing the Judici-
airy Committees of the two Houses to
ascertain and report the constitutional
powers of the present Legislature in re-
ference to the business unfinished at the
time of adjourning the session, etc., was
concurred in. -s....
House resolution directing that the
Committees on Public Property of the
two houses, be authorized at once to ex-
anime the condition of the old Lunatic
Asylum grounds, and see what steps are
necessary for the best protection of the
remaining property, was referred to the
Committee on Public Grounds and build
ings.
NEW BILLS.
BY Mr.. Hall--A bill to amend the
criminal laws of the State, so as to pro-
vide for the punishment of railroad con-
ductors for carelessness resulting in COL
lisions or other accidents. Passed first
reading and referred to the Judiciary
Committee.
By Mr.. Cooper, of Bedford-A bill to
secure homesteads to heads of families,
and exempting such property from sale
for debt, except for taxes due the State
or to pay the purchase price of such
property. Passed first reading and re-
ferred to the Judiciary Committee.
BY Mr.. Bryant--A bill to establish an
Agricultural College in each of the three
grand divisions of the State. Passed first
reading and referred to the Judiciary Com
mittee
RAILROAD INvRSTIG OF
PRIVILEGE.
Mr. Nelson, rising to a question of
privilege, said:
There appeared on the morning of the
18th inst, o card in the Knoxville
Chronicle over the name of John Baxter,
in which is stated, (referring to the Rail
road Investigating COmmittee) that it is
well understood that q portion of them
have been bought up by the corruption
ahoI nf
mittee so far as / know anything, dis
claim that there has ever been even an
intimation from any party OF parties, con-
nected with the railroads, or other persons
to bride or in any way whatsoever cor
rupt the committee. challenge an in
vestigation of the wholesale and unquali-
fed charge made in the Chronicle.
In justice TO myself, as a member of
the committee, | demand that MIR. Baxter
show wherein the report on the Mineral
Home Railroad" has been disingenuOus or
epitomized 10 the injury of the State of
Tennessee, or for the benefit of any party,
or parties, or confederates. | further
demand that he show the proof anC
produce the names of that portion of the
committee that have been bought up by
/ the corruptionists, who are the corruption
lists, and who are the bribed members.
Closing his remarks, Mr.. Nelson Of
fered the following resolutions, which
were adopted, the rule having been sus
pended on Mr.. Halls motion:
Whereas, A card over the name Of
John Baxter appeared in the Knoxville
| Chronicle on the 18th inst, in which II
| is stated (referring TO the Railroad Inves,
| tigating Committee) that it is well un
| derstOod here that a portion of them have
been bought up by the corruptionists;
and,
Whereas, The Special Committee OIL
| Railroad Investigation deem it due tC
themselves as a matter Of justice, collect
| lively and individually, to ask this Gen
eral Assembly to raise committee who's
duty it shall be to demand that the author
of said imputation produce the names o.
the corrupuonists and the names of tina
portion of the committee who wert
bribed; therefore, be it
Resolved, BY the General Assembly OF
the State of Tennessee, That a commit
tee of one on the part of the Senate
and - on the part of the House b'
raised, whose duty it shall be to inquir
and demand of the author of the said i'm
putation the names of the cOrruptionist
and the members of the committee VIII,
were bribed, and report the same to thi
General Assembly.
Mr.. Llementson stated to the Senat
that he was in receipt of letter from Hon
John Baxter, alleging that the report
the Joint Special Committee on Railroa
Investigation, in relation to the hliners
Home Railroad Company, does him grea
injustice, and requesting the publicatio
of his deposition in the hands OF tn
committee. Mr.. ClementsOn also an
nounced that he should tomorrow intro
duce a joint resolution bearing upon tn
subject.
HOUSE BILLS on FIRST READING.
House bills to authorize the erection o
fish traps; to abolish the office of entry
taker in the counties of Coffee an
Greene; to change the line betwee
Washington and Greene counties. Passe
first reading and referred to the JudiciaI
| Committee.
| SENATE BILLS On THIRD HEADING
To preserve the school funds OF tn
State. Passed by unanimous vote.
To amend the venue laws so as to appl
to mi.demeanors Passed.
At II o'clock the Senate took q receS
to meet the House IN convention, and a
ter returning to their chamber, adjourne
until 8 O'Clock in the afternoon.
AFTERNOON.
At the appointed time the Senate rea
sembled, and on motion took a recess
meet the House in convention. Who
the convention dissolved, the Senate r
paired to its chamber, and adjourned III
til IL o'clock tomorrow morning.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,!
SATURDAY, May 21.-The House ws
| called to order at 9 o'clock, Mr.. Speak