Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-17
HOUsE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

SATURDAY, Dec. 1G.-The5 House was
called to order at 10 O'Clock, Mr.. Speaker
Richardson in the chair.
THE MEMPHIS CITY COUPONS.
The majority and minority reports in re-
gard to the Memphis city coupons we're
read, and elected some discussion. They
were received, but no further action was
taken on them.
RESOLUTIONS OF THANKS.
Mr.. TiIlman introduced resOlutiOn-ten-
dering the thanks of the House to the clerks
and subordinate officers for their zeal aud
efficiency, also to the pOrters. The resolu-
ton was adopted.
Mr.. Neil S. Brown, Principal Clerk, in
his own behalf and in behalf If the other
clerks, returned thanks to the House.
Mr.. Crews offered a resolution rendering
the thanks of the House to the reporters Of
the city papers for their kindness and cOur-
tesv, and the intelligent and impartial man
ner in which they reported the proceedings;
also expressing the thanks of the House to
the ministers who officiated during the SEES
sion. Adopted.
A LEGISLATIVE LOVE FEAST.
Immediately preceding adjournment,
when the business was all disposed of, and
those present on the point of parting for
their respective homes, several short I'M
promptu speeches were made befitting the
occasion.
Mr.. Thos. H. Paine, Representative from
Lawrence county, led off in the following
beautiful remarks, which, on motion of
Mr. Chatham, of Robertson, were ordered
spread upon the Journals. Mr.. Paine is
ameng the first literary men Of the House.
Mr.. Paine said:
ADDRESS OF HON. THOMAS H. PAINE, OF
LAWRENCE.
Mr., SPEAKER: In looking around Inc
to-day, sir, am sensibly reminded Of the
rapid flight of time and the mutability Of
earthly affairs. Ten years ago, when COM
paratively but beardless boy, l had the
honor of a seat on this floor. At that time,
sir, we were in the incipiency Of a terrible
revolution. Civil war with all its horrors was
trimming at us CHASTITY in the face-nOt far
down Won little river, along the classic banks
of the beautiful Cumberland, were encamp-
ed a part of the two cOntending arm
les. while ever and anon kilograms
were received in this hall announcing the
casualties resulting from the clash Of arms.
l recognize to-day the face of no gentleman
who was then member of this House; but
in the Senate was my worthy friend, now
on nv right, the venerable Representative
from the county of Hardeman, who in this
Assembly alone represents that body in that
Legislature. Then, sir, in the chair that
YOU now occupies and the duties of which
you have discharged to the full satisfaction
of this entire House, sat the Hon. Z. A.
Keeble, of Rutherford, and on the floor
were Martin and Caruthers, of Wilson,
Robb, of Montgomery, with others who
were recognized as stars in social, political
and legislative circles, who were playing
well their parts in life's great drama, when
the death-angel, passing by with his
sickle, marked them as ripened fruit, and
they were stricken down and gathered to
the harvests beyond the turmOils of earth,
| and have passed on to those plains Of higher
| life, where bloom and blossom the flowers
of perpetual existence, all of which reminds
us of the mutation of all things of sublu-
| nary character. Alas! the mutability of
earthly grandeur; how visibly is pictured
on all things, passing away -
But in the midst of these changes of the
last decade of years, we may congratulate
| ourselves that war with US has ceased, and
peace-bright-eyed peace-again smiles over