Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-16
TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE.
SENATE

FRIDAY, Dec. 15.-The Senate met at 10
a. NJ, Speaker Vaughn in the Chair.
DIsAPPRovED.
Senate bills ''To change the line between
the counties of Grundy and Sequatchie, .
and HTo change the line between the coun-
ties of Smith aud Jackson" were returned
by the Governor disapproved, on the ground
that they contained no provision showing
that a majority of the voters residing in the
counties affected by the proposed changes,
were in favor Of them. Both bills were re-
jected.
HOUSE BILLS OK THIRD READING.
To authorize the corpOIators or their sue
cessors mentioned in the 4lst section Of the
act of May "a, 1866, to turn over the funds
in their hands to the Greeneyille and Paint
Rock Tram Road company.
To authorize the removal Of the county
seat of Smith county. Amended and re-
jected for want of constitutional vote.
CONQUERED IN.
A number of House amendments 10
Senate bills was concurred in.
THE AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL FUND.
Mr.. Coulter presented the report Of the
committee appointed to investigate into the
condition Of the Agricultural School Fund.
The document is very vOluminOus. Ordered
to be printed.
STATE LIBRARIAN.
Mr.. Jones introduced a resolution to in
crease the salary of the State Librarian to
$1,000 per annum. The resolution was
ruled out of order, on the ground THAT salarSs
les of officials can only be increased by bill.
TO PAY DR. BLACKIE.
Mr.. Merritt moved a reconsideration of
the vote rejecting a resolution to remune-
rate DR.. Blackie and Mr.. Westerfield for
services rendered in catalOgUing and index
ing the library. Carried.
The Clerk read a communication from
Judges Nicholson and Sneed recommend
ing the adoption of the resolution.
After some discussion, the resolution
failed, the vote being tie-ayes ii, noes IL.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT.
House resolution to appoint an agent to
settle the outstanding accounts Of the State
against the central government was adopted.
The Senate took a recess till 2:30 P. NJ,
when it reassembled.
THE MEMPHIS COUPON TRANSACTION.
The committee appointed to examine
into the exchange, by the Comptroller, OF
the Memphis city bonds and coupons for
State bonds and coupons, returned ma
iority and minority report.
? The majority report was signed by Messrs.
Coulter ard Green on the part of the Sen
ate, and Messrs. Crews and Gordon of the
House. After setting forth the facts in the
case, they exonerated the Comptroller from
all blame In the transaction. They estima-
ted the amount Of loss to the State al S0,-
6Ig. .96, but were thoroughly satisfied that
the only motive Of the Comptroller was to
make the best exchange he could in the
States interest They therefore offered
resolution to sanction and ratify the trans
action.
The minority report was signed by Mr..
DuBose. who estimated the loss to the State
by the transaction, at $9,S67.42, including
interest on the city coupons. The minority
further reported that there was no authori-
tv given under the statutes Of Tennessee,
TO the Comptroller to make this exchange
of bonds.
After sharp dicussion between Mr.. Du
Bose and Mr.. Coulter, the evidence on
which the reports were based was read.
The discussion was then renewed and lasted
till $50 p. NJ. when the Senate rose for re-
cess without coming to a vote.
HOUSE BILLS ON THIRD HEADING.
For the reclaiming Of wild lands.
Passed.
To amend the act to prescribe the mode
of cancelling bonds and coupons at present
in the Comptroller's Office. Passed.
THANKS.
Mr.. Gibson offered resolution convey
ing the thanks of the Senate TO Mrs. Mar
garet Brown for the intelligent industry,
faultless accuracy and perfect neatness dis
played by her as Engrossing Clerk of the
Senate. Adopted.
THE MEMPHIS COUPONS TRANSACTIONS.
The resolution to ratify and sanction the
exchange by the Comptroller Of Memphis
city coupons for State bonds and coupons
was taken up.
A motion to print the majority and mi