Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-07
TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE.


at 10 a. M, Senator Tharpe, Speaker pr
tenn, in the chair.
MEMORIALS.
Mr.. Ridley presented petition, signel
by Joseph Nash and other insurance agents
of Nashville, asking that no change b
made in the present feature of insurance
deposits by foreign companies.
Mr.. DuBose presented a petition from
citizens Of Cumberland county, asking q
reduction of the merchants tax.
NEW BILLS.
By Mr.. Coulter: To grant certain power
to existing railroads, allowing them to con
solidate with others. Passed.
WITHDRAWN.
Mr.. McConnel's resolution in relation TO
the fees Of counsel in the late delinquent
railroad suits, was Withdrawn.
THE PENITENTIARY.
The Committee on the Penitentiary re-
ported, recommending the payment of the
claim of Messrs. J. A. McAlister & Co., and
stating that it was unwise to discontinue the
branches at Battle Creek mines and Tracy
City, since contracts had been made to car
ny on the same for five years.
HOUSE BILLS ON FIRST AND SECOND
READING.
A large number Of House bills were pass
ed on first and second reading.
HOUSE BILL ON THIRD READING.
To insure greater accuracy in surveying
lands by the preservation of the meridian
line. Passed.
SENATE BILLS ON THIRD READING.
To authorize the Governor to fill vacan
cies in the offices of judges. Withdrawn,
because similar House bill had passed Sc
cond reading.
To extend the jurisdiction of the Hum
boldt Law Court. Passed.
To diminish the danger of travel by max
ing common carriers responsible to employ
ees. Passed.
sHANKLAND's STATUTES.
Mr.. Coulter offered resolution author
izing the purchase of Shankland's Statutes
of Tennessee with the acts of the Legisla-
ture annexed, for the use of courts and
public officers. Lies over.
CRIMINAL COURT OF KNOX.
Mr.. DuBose called up House bill to
amend the act establishing the Criminal
Court of Knox county, and to create the
office of District Attorney for the District
Committee, who had not reported, return
Iub Sdlilb 10 LIlt Cclldbt lOI
Mr.. Gibson made lengthy speech, in
which he asked that the Senate would not
support the request of Mr.. DuBose, because
it would be at variance with the rules of
courtesy practiced by the body, and dis
regard of the kindness which one senator
owed the other. Mr.. Gibson declared that
the bill was for a political purpose, and its
being called up was to insure its passage.
While he recognized the political majority
of the Senate, he thought such course of
unkindness and discourtesy for political
purposes was calculated to bury the pipe of
peace and unearth the tomahawk of war,
and said it seemed as if the Vandals and
Goths of Middle and West Tennessee were
about to overrun the counties of Knox and
ROane. He felt sure the Senate would not
approve the course of Mr.. DuBose in seek
ing to compel the committee to give up
bill before it had been acted upon.
Mr.. DuBose said he had no apology to
make for what he had done.
Mr.. Gibson remarked that he asked no
apology.
Mr.. DuBose said he could not get it if he
desired, unless at the point of the sword
that the Senator from Campell had by his
frequent acts unworthy gentlemen long
since placed himself beyond the pale of
gentleman deserving an apology; that he
was sorry if anything said by himself had
wounded the feelings of the committee,
such not being MS intention or desire. But
he meant what he said. He spoke in a
cool, calm manner, though he would con-
fess his ire had been somewhat raised by
the minority report this morning of Mr..
10 hoA
posed the action of the committee in their
views relative to the Revenue Bill, etc.
Mr.. Ridley said the remarks Of the Sena-
tor from Campbell had suggested many
points and thoughts of relative interest,
which he did not entertain before. He
was surprised to learn the Senator from
Campbell (SIr. GiDson) had so much moral
courage as TO intimate the bill was one for
a political purpose. He was not aware of
this fact until the Senator had made the
announcement, and did not think it had
anything to do with politics and political
moves until so intimated by Mr., Gibson.
1t was unnecessary for him to defend one
(Mr. DuBose) whose manly course and
noble bearing had won for him the admi-
ration of that body from the attacks of one
(Mr. Gibson) who for political prestige and
to gain political power had, by thrusting
himself in the Legislative byways and high
ways and by fractions opposition en-
Uttered himself in the minds of the Sena-
tors.
Mr.. Merritt, Chairman of the Judiciary
Committee, made statement, saying he
had, at every request of the COMMITTEES
brought the bill up before them for their
consideration. The Senator from Roane
(Mr. Staley) had requested that no report
be made by the committee until the arrival
of Mr.. Thornburg, the Attorney General
from that district, who he was expecting
daily, so that he, with the Representative
from that county, could confer with each
other. Hence the delay of the committee
in taking action and reporting. He wanted
the Senator from Roane (who had stated
to him that he had not made up his mind
to oppose the billy and the members of the
Senate, his political friends, to agree to its
passage.
The further consideration of the bill was
made the special order for ten o'clock to-
morrow morning.
Adjourned to $50 A. NJ. tomorrow.