Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-28


AIRY next, was taken up. b.
Mr.. McGhee, speaking to the subject,
made the following remarks: 4
Mr.. Speaker-The resolution which has
just been read was introduced by me, in
order to give the solvent railroads Of the
State due notice that on the LIST of January,
1S72,they would be expected to pay the sink
ing fund, which would be due. The sol
vent companies of the State are now in a
prosperous condition, and can, no doubt,
meet this small amount without inconveni-
ence; but / thought it well that we should
give timely notice, and therefore hope the
House will pass this resolution. ias-EAI
Here, Mr.. Speaker, / might close, but
while up, will call the attention of this body
to a scurrilous article which appeared in the
editorial columns of the Memphis Appeal,
which was laid upon the desk of every
member of the House, on yesterday morn
ing, and has, no doubt, beer circulated
widely throughout the State, gratuitously,
if not other wise, as it is in the legislative
bodies. The article in question openly and
boldly attacks my conduct and motives as
legislator, and attributes to me the most un-
worthy purposes.
believe that might fearlessly appeal,
without argument, to my fellow members of
this House for vindicatiOn of myself from
these aspersions, but feel that the author of
this article should lie held up to public gaze
that you might scrutinize the motives which
actuate him to attack member of this body
who ventures to differ with him as to the
course which duty points out. f--...r
am led TO believe. and here charge, Mr..
Speaker, that the author or instigatOr of this
article is Moses j. Wicks, President of the
Memphis and Charleston Railroad Company
--aroad which is largely indebted to the State
of Tennessee, and which is one of the roads
to be affected by thisresolution. That road
has not yet taken advantage of the act of the
last Legislature, providing an easy mode of
repairing this Indebtedness, although it has
appeared to sustain in the money market
high credit, which would have enabled its
officers TO do so at any time, if they had 50
desired. The President of that company
failed to take advantage of the very low
price of Tennessee bonds within the past
eighteen months. He now sees that he has
made a financial mistake, and, in order to
cover this, he is striving to break down the
credit of the State with a view of sustain
ing his own reputation as a inancier. He
is bringing TO bear the power Of the press to
whip into the support of his policy unruly
members of this body. The declaration
made by myself, upon the floor,
that am in favor of such revenue laws as
will enable us in the future to protect our
honor and credit; the declaration made TO
Mr.. WicRs, personally, that, under no cir
cumstances, would |, as a member of this
body, advocate any policy which did not at
tain that end, has induced him to procure
the publication of this article. could, were
Il necessary, establish the fact that one Of
the editors of the appeal has been engaged
fer some time in an effort to bring to bear
the power of the press upon the question
of State finances in favor of his (Wicks')
schemes, and the agent in unfolding his
plans and pressing his negotiations, gave
the high authority of his employer for the
undertaking.
Thus il will be seen that a determined
effort is to be made to induce or force this
body into line. As for one, will only say
that will unfinchingly stand by the posi-
ton which duty seems TO point out, without
being influenced by the attacks Of venal
press; and have been long enough aSsoci-
ated with the members of this House to
know that, while We may differ as to our
policy, they will commend the sentiment of
the above declaration. | wish now, Mr..
Speaker, distinctly and unequivocaly to
state that the allegations and limitations in
said paper are untrue, libelOus and false, in
so far as they intimate or charge that am
controlled by any other motive or reason
than should govern the conduct of Repre-
sentative, faithful to the honor and integri-
ty Ofthe people of the State, or in rejecting
the views of his immediate constituency.
In so far as my private interests and
transactions as a citizen of the State are
maliciously paraded before the public, |
have nothing here to say, further than that
my accuser dare not charge me with dis
honesty, and the public certainly have not
complained, so far as know, that my bust
ness associations 3Qd purposes have not
been honorable.
Ny self-respect, my respect for the intelli-
gence of this body, and my regard for the
proprieties of this floor, all forbid my OBJ
| truding upon the House any explanation or
| justification of the business transactions OF
my private life, which my assailant so wan
| tOnly obtrudes upon the public.
| Against such disreputable warfare feel
! a conscious pride in the fact that may
| content myself with opposing simply the
| undissembled confidence of a constituency
! who know me more intimately than my as
| sailant, and with less interested motives fol
seeking to impair my reputation.
! The resolution was then referred TO the
! Judiciary Committee.
! The House took a recess until O'Clock
! when it reassembled.
HOUSE BILLS ON SECOND READING.
To provide for the keeping up dan
across Holston river Passed.
| To amend the revenue laws by reducin:
! the tax on lands and the advalorem tax OF
merchants. Passed.
To amend section 1876 of the Code. Re
| pcted. 1.t -a.
To amend the act providing for change
Of venue in certaintsases. Rejected.
I To amend the act incorporating thu
Messy Creek Baptist College. Rejected.
| To change the time for holding Chancery
Court in Lincoln county. Passed.
To provide for keeping up the public
roads Passed.
Regulating subscription of county stool
IN railroads, etc. Passed.
To repeal the act increasing The fees Oh
the Public Printer. Passed and referred u
the special committee on printing.
To amend the act making evidence IN thu
State and Federal Courts uniform. Passed
To exempt the Odd Fellows Mutual All
Society of Memphis from taxation. Re
jected.
To amend the fire Insurance laws of tn
State. Passed.
To change the line between the countie
of Meigs and Roane. Passed.
To change the line between the countie
of Hawkins and Hancock. Passed.
To regulate jury service. Passed.
Il To exempt church paHsonages from taxa
, ton Passed.
To secure the purity OF the ballot boz
: by prohibiting candidates from fnrnishin
voters with liquor. Passed. -.'.I
= To regulate the practice in suits again
5 railroad companies. Passed.
t To prevent engineers from crossing raj