Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-03
THE LEGEsLATURE.

1t will be seen by reference to the Leg
islative proceedings of yesterday, that both
houses effected an organization. The will
with which the members entered upon the
discharge of their duties was in the highest
degree commendable.
in the result sad disappointments to
the ardent friends of the defeated
candidates, We bel eve that those
elected will prove themselves fully cOmpe-
tent to the discharge of their re-
spectiye duties, and at the conclusion OF the
session receive the plaudits Of those who op-
posed their elections.
There are but few of the members who
have any legislative experience. With the
exception of the Radical party very nearly
all Of the citizens of Tennessee who held of
fee previous to the war are excluded from
poHticalpositiOns by the Fourteenth Amend
ment. Neither Of the Speakers was ever
before member of the Legislature.
Gen. John c. Vaughn, Speaker of the
Senate, is a native Of Monroe county, the
county in which he now resides. He was
when quite young a soldier in the Mexican
war, and was at the conclusion Of that war
a Captain of a company. He was also an
officer in the late war, and before its con
Clusion was a Brigadier General in the Con-
federate service. For several years previous
to the late war he was Sheriff of Monroe
County. Hei a strictly temperance man
and devoted member of the church. He
is man of very decided opinions, firm in
his convictions, and warm in his friendships.
A little experience viii make him an excel
lent presiding officer.
Mr.. James ID. Richardson, Speaker of the
House, is a native and Representative of the
county of Rutherford. He is a son of DR..
John w. Richardson, of Rutherford, who
for many years previous to the war was one
of the most prominent of the old Wing lead
ers Of Middle Tennessee. Mr.. Speaker
Richardson is twenty-eight years Of age. He
studied law under Judge Thomas n. Fra
zier, the Judge of the Criminal Court
of Davidson and Rutherford. Since
his admission to the bar he has closely de
voted himself to the study and practice of
his profession and justly won for himself a
high rank among his professional brethren.
Studious in his habits, quick in his percep-
tiOns, courteous, prompt and firm in action,
he will undoubtedly make presiding Off
Ger who will be an honor to the House
over which he presideS, and to the constit-
uency he represents.
Both of the presiding officers are heads
Of families.
The principal Clerks were the Clerks Of
the last Legislature. Both were deservedly
complimented by an election without oppo-
Sition.
Col. L. u. Stewart, who was the Door
keeper of the Constitutional Convention, is
elected Doorkeeper of tn Senate, and Mr.
Foster Fleming is reelected Doorkecper of
the House All of the other officers elected
are new.
The election Of lady to the position Of
Engrossing Clerk is something hitherto I'M
known in the legislative history Of Tennes-
see. But as the duties to be performed are
merely those of copyist, and do not re-
q,lire the presence of this officer in the Sen
ate Chamber it was thought by the friends
of the lady elected that she might accept
the position without indelicacy. BY
the vicisstudes of war she was
made a widow and left dependent
solely upon her own exertions in the sup
port of herself and her two children. She
is native ofthis city, well known to our
citizens, prominently qualified to.discharge
the duties of her office, and deserving of the
means which it will afford her TO assist i'll
supporting herself and children.