The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1871-10-26
From the state CapitOI.

sions of all General Assemblies OF the
state within my recollection, and the
intelligent body now sitting is no en-
ception to the rule. Yet they have en-
acted some new laws, and good deal
of necessary legislation is still before
them. The probability now is that the
Solons will not get through with their
work before the expiration of their con-
stitutional limit, and even then, il is
thought, it will be necessary to have q
called session. The people always COM
plain of these endless sittings, but when
one is here and watches how earnestly
and cXpeditiously the public rcprescn-
tatiycs push matters, complaint is un-
just. There is so much necessary to do
that it cannot be done in day, nor a
week, nor yet month.
OF the workings of the present body
your readers, no doubt, are pretty well
posted. [ might give you column or
two of proceedings, but it would prove
of little interest now. One measure,
however, introduced by your Joint Rep
resentative, Hon. V. &. Allen, deserves
special mention. 1t is bill to preserve
the purity of the ballot-box, and is in
tended to reach and punish that class of
professional scoundrcls who are con-
stantly levying blackmail upon candi-
dates after elections are over. 1t is an
intolerablc imposition, which should
have been looked TO by preceding Leg
islaturos, and Mr.. Alien deserves the
commentator of his constituents for
the step he has taken. Mr.. Aliens bill
will cover the whole ground, imposing
a fine of not less than so, nor more
than 500, for the use of the county,
upon all persons who, as representa-
tivcs, self-constitutca or otherwise, of
any candidates, sha!! give away any H.
quors of any sort for the purpose of in
! tluCncing clGctors-thus ut once abolish
| ing another OF the various means of
| plundering a man. There is little doubt
that it will become law, since the ne
ccssity for it is so patent.
The friends of Speaker Vaughn here
were pleased with the article in your last
issue in regard 10 that gentleman. lie
is discharging the duties of his position
earnestly and faithfully, and the assaults
upon him have been without proyoca-
ton or excuse. will, also, mention
that your County Representative, Hon.
j. II. Magill, is making good member,
is always in his place and giving unrc-
hitting attention to his duties.
Legislation here is marked by con-
siderable interest, and one can spend Il
very agreeable halliday in the Senate
Chamber or House Of Representatives.
a question Of privilege was up in the
former Il few days ago, and, as the
| chronicle Spondcnt at this place
has seen proper to refer TO it, | may
mention it, Mr.. Gibson, of Campbell,
stated that Mr.. Tollcy, from Lincoln,
had said to him that he had been ap-
preached by members of q certain
"printing ring and had decided to 90
into an arrangement with them, but
that he (Gibson) called tie Senator's at
tention to the fact that it was mconsti-
tutional, whereupon he relinquished the
idea of having anything to do with the
matter. Mr.. FOLEY stated that he told
the Senator that he had been approach
ed by members of combination and
had determined to 90 into it, but that,
upon reflection, seeing it was unconsti-
tutional, at once decided to have moth
ing to do with it. lie asked the Scna-
tor to state the facts and called on Sona-
tor Staley, of Roane, as witness to the
conversation, but motion TO adjourn
had been entered, and being insisted up
on, was carried. Thus Mr.. Tollcy, who
is also Editor and Proprietor of the
Lincoln comfy New$, was left without
the benefit of an explanation, though
| few men in the body believe the state
ment of the gentleman from Campbell.
AS he had obtained leave Of absence to
go home the following day, it was i'm
possible the question of privilege could
be resumed at that time, and on return
ing, not wishing to disturb the harmo-
ny of the Senate by picking up matter
that had lain for some days, he mag
unanimously passed the thing over
From the manner in which Mr.. FOLEY
refuted the SANDER, it was evident he
meant business He is matter-of-fact
man, but would do no one an injury, and
it was unkind at least in Mr.. Gibson to
make q statement to his detriment. Mr..
Tolley had been inspired with some re-
spcct for Mr.. Gibson, but that has gone
like the mist before the morning SUM-
The latter is very busy in regard to the
public printing.
Mrs. Paralee Haskell was. on Friday,
elected Librarian. She had no opposi-
4. Al. 1. d. 4