Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-05
Adjourned to 10 A. N: tomorrow.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

MONDAY, De-. 4.-The House was called
to order at II o'Ciock, Speaker Richardson
in the chair.
TIE RAILROAD ATTORNEYS FEES.
Mr.. Martin, from the joint committee ap-
pointed to investigate and report in cOnnec-
ton with the fees charged by the railroad
counsel. made a statement Of the reasons
why The resort Of the committee had not
sooner been acted upon by the House. 1t
should. he said, have been presented at the
same time with the communication of the
attorneys, but when il reached the House
the communication of the attorneys alone
was read, the reading Of the report being
deferred at the instance Of a member Of the
committee who had not had an opportunity
to read it. He desired to have the report
read and acted on now.
The report. which has already been pub
lished in the Senate proceedings, was re-
ceived and the committee discharged. The
Sengte resolution requesting the attorneys
to turn over the bonds in their possession
(Which was done some time ago., was con-
cured ID.
NEW BILLS.
The following bills were introduced and
passed: By Mr. Paine: To amend the lien
law. By Sir. Enloe: Authorizing the Gov
eruor to appoint Road Commissioner for
each grant division Of ehe State. Adopted
under a suspension Of the rules. BY Mr..
Harris Providing for the registration Of
judgments and attachments which are a
lien on real estate. BY Mr.. Bean: To mod
.fy section 2l24 of the Code.
SENATE BILLS on THIRD READING.
Toamend the franchise law, by repeating
tha' fature which requires Of voters evil
denca that they have paid p0l-tax. The
Judiciary Committee recommended the re-
lection Of the bill.
Messrs. Samsell and Tillman opposed the
bill.
Mr.. Tillman said he regretted that the
Constitutional Convention adopted the pro-
vision which requires the Legislature TO fix
a time for the payment of poll-tax and to
prescribe period for which the tax should
be paid. He had no doubt that certain bad
practices which prevailed in different por-
lions Of the State induced the convention TO
adop, the provision. At the time and be-
fore the convention assembled, large num-
bers of persons were shipped to Memphis,
GAINESVILLE and other cities aud counties, for
the purpose Of assisting one side or the 9TH
er in their electiOueering schemes. He saw
no great wrong in that provisionOf the con-
and effect but it was contended that the
powers of tax collectors might
be used for selfish or party purposes, and
he believed that this was a question which
would be agitated before the people at every
election, and be the subject Of discOrd and
discussion in every Legislature. He would,
therefore, vote Cor bill which would plt e
it beyond the power OF tax collectors to de
fea. the wishes OF the people, bat he could
not vote for the present bill, because, in L.
pealing the art heretofore passed, and fixing
no time as contemplated by the Constitu-
tion. there would be a failure to observe
either the Letter or the spirit Of the COnsti-
tuition. He believed, however, that the
legislature M 1t tx time in the future
AT which the U8ymeEt of a poli-'aX should
be required, without violation Of The Con-
stitution, and by which time the COnstitu-
ton could be changed, if the people desired it.
He believed that the requirement of the
payment Of poll-taX as a prerequisite to
The right to vote would always be the sub
iect 4 discussion, and to avoid that, with
ont saving whether it was right or wrong
Would be willing 20 see il discontinued,