Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-11-21

Oldl ICpOIt dTe relied upon.
l. Estimated tax on privileges. $4,000 90
z Tax on $500 00O, 000 property 3 mills gOOOgO 90
3. Now due, as per Comptroller's re-
port..................... 2,OS3, 40 81
1.,-,,o..., s8,5a3.4 40 @
cies, costs, etc..................... 1874 O6
Revenue due to State. ............s3,1 SO, O9s IS
Thus II is shown that the rate of thirty
cents viii give a revenue of s., $50, OCT. Sc
TO meet an Indebtedness of 8. $50 900, leav-
ing clear surplus or balance to tie credit
Of the State of S520,096.56. Figures never
lie. In view of the foregoing facts, l will
not consent to infict upon my people a
rate of taxation which they cannot pay,
and which really and practically means
nothing more nor less than gradual cOnfis-
cation Of their property. The only reason
urged by those Gvoring a high tax was, that
our securities and bonds would suffer a
rapid and material decline in the foreign
markets of the word. | do not. and
cannot, coincide in any such opinion.
On the contrary, | hold and believe
that when foreign capitalists realize that
our State is in a condition to provide for all
our outstanding warrants, our old bank
issues, our New York debt, our current ex-
penses, besides making all necessary appro-
priatiOns for our asylums-all on a taxable
basis Of only thirty cents on one hum
dred dollars worth Of property, they viii
feel assured that our credit and financial
condition has improved in material degree,
especially in view of the fact that our own
Stale debt has been within two wears, re-
duced from over forty millions to less than
twenty millions of dollars. In view of the
facts set forth, cannot and viii not consent
to levy and burden my people with
tax which l consider oppressive, harsh and
unwarrantable. In accordance with these
views, and with desire to discharge my
duty as faithful and conscientious Repre-
sentative of proud and sensitive constitu-
ency, l enter my earnest and solemn pro-
test against the action of the House in
adopting forty cents on the one hundred
dollars worth Of property as basis of taxa
ton. W. d. LI;MPKIN.
Of Shelby County.
After discussion the protest was ordered
to be entered On the journal.
NEW BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.
By Mr.. Clift-Resolution TO appoint
joint committee to collate and arrange the
revenue laws fer the use and benefit of
county and State revenue officers. AdOp-
ted under a supervision of the rules. Messrs.
Cliff, FriersOn and Spears were appointed
on the part of the House.
By Mr.. Elisa bill TO authorize the
county courts of the several counties in this
State to tax the privilege or occupation of
fishing in their respective counties. Passes.
By Mr.. Lynn, of Lauderdale-A bill to
amend Chap. IS of the act passed in 1871
fixing the time of holding the courts in
Dyer county, and in Humboldt in Gibson
county. Passed.
By Mr.. McCOllum-A bill to regulate at
tOrney's fees. Passed.
BILL DIsAPPROvED.
House bill ''to prohibit debtors of County
Academies from holding the Office of trus-
tee in such Academies" returned by the
Governor without his approval, was taken
up.
After some discussion the bill was re-
jected, ayes, Is; noes, Al.
house BILLS ON THIRD READING.
To provide for the sale of lands purchased
by the State for taxes. Rejected for want
OF constitutional majority, ayes, 81;
noes, 80.
The House then took a recess until 2:3O
when it re-assembled.
IHE FENIIENTiARG.
Mr.. EnlOe introduced a resolution request
ing the Senate to transmit to the House
the report of the Inspectors Of the Peniten-
tiary with the Governors message accom-
panying it, Adopted under a suspension of
the rules.
HOUSE BILLS ON THIRD READING.
To cuItail the expenses of the State by
repeating the act to establish the Law Court
of Nashville. Reported for rejection.
Mr.. Cliff explained that his object in in
Producing the bill was because the extra
court was unnecessary. There were only
692 cases on the docket, while there were
two Judges at a salary of $500 each to
try them. He had been spoken to by sew
eral citizens of Nashville, and it was on
their representation that ne had introduced
this bill.
Mr.. Vaughn said the additional court was
no expense TO the State. While the salaries
of the four Judges amounted to $4,000,
they produced a revenue to the State Of
$4,000. He was satisfied that there was
no desire to get rid of the court.
The report of the committee was non
concurred In. The bill failed on a third
reading for want of a constitutional ana
jOrity-ayes 81, noes 80.
Relative to the fees Of -I1ssioes II the
Peace. Passed.
To grant the right Of say 70 the Rip
Railroad Canpsny Passed
To abolish jluies I'm ciFil CTS. except
Wien demanded.
NJ. SANS ppossd The bill on the ground
that d would b an innovation on a system
! which haG .Jng been in force, and proved
u0s sneficial in its operations.
MIR. Harris defended the bill, contending
/ tha., if passed, it would effect a large saw
ing TO the State. He regarded the jury sys-
TEN as in some respects relic Of barbarism,
and more calculated to prevent justice than to
secure it, for jury Of twelve ignorant men
would be more likely to be imposed upon by
speciOus arguments than learned and in
telligent Judge, skilled in legal questions.
He refened TO the abuses inseparabe from
the Jury system, and concluded by urging
the passage of the bin.
Mr.. McGlOthlin moved in amendment TO
section 2, that jury cases have precedence in
courts. Carried.
The bill was then rejected, ayes %,
noes 81.
Mr.. Rosson entered a motion to recon
slider.
THE TAX BILL.
The consideration of the bill to provide
revenue for the State was resumed.
The second and third sections were
| adopted.
The fourth section was taken up, and
read as follows:
"That in all suits brought before Justices
of the Peace In this State, the following
rate of taxation shall believed and collected,
to-wit: Suits where the judgment is less
than one hundred dollars, State tax Of
fifty cents suits where the judgment is
more than one hundred and less than two
hundred dollars, one dollar; suits where
the Judgment exceeds two hundred dollars,
two dollars. In all criminal causes submitted
under the small offense laws, before JUS
tice of the Peace, State tax Of three dol
lars in each case. And the bond required
to be executed by section 1904 Of the Code
of Tennessee, by Justices Of the Peace,
eban Ia haid IN inrluda and make liable tho