Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-04
RESOLUTIONS.
NEW BILLS.


By Mr.. Lacey-To restore the corporate
limits Of the city of Memphis to the bound
aries established Dec. 1, 1869.
By Mr.. Whitc-AppOintiIg the Govern.
or, Comptroller, Secretary OF State and
Treasurer, committee 10 act in co1junc-
ton with the Committee on Public Grounds
to examine the property offered for Gov
ernor's mansion.
THE CHARGE OF BRIBERY.
The following House resolution was TAX
en- up:
whereas, 1t has been cur emily reported
that corrupt and improper means were
used TO defeat certain measures pending be-
fore the last General Assembly Of this
State; and, whereas, 1t is due to al par
ties that such reports be investigated, to the
end that justice be done, the public morals
protected, and the innocent, or guilty, as
she care may be, may be known, therefore,
be it
Resolved by the General Assembly Of the
Strife Of Tennessee, that joint committee
of seven OH the part of the House and
on the part of the Senate be appointed i'm
mediately TO investigate said charges, and
report TO the present General Assembly,
and that said committee have power to send
for persons and papers and TO administer
oaths-
81 Quite a lively discussion followed the
reading of this resolution. IN
rl Nr. Warren said he was member Of the
last General Assembly, and that the intro
duction Of this resolution was calculated to
create suspicion Of the honesty Of every
member Of thAt.body. II he, or any other
% member of that General Assembly were
auilty of bribery or any other disreput1ble
conduct, the world, and an outraged con-
stituencY, ought to know it, and he want d
the committee appointed with the broadcast
latitude OF investigation. He did not want
any Mobilier whitewashing in this little 81.
faEr: adopt the resolution and let Us have
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
Cha truth.
Mr.. Mcconnell, of Blount, said he did not
uropose TO get excited over the introduction
Of this resolution, as he did not think be had
ANYTHING to fear from any investigation
that might arise under it. The precedent
referred to Is having been established by
the Senate, at its present session, TO the
effect that we would not sppoint commit
tees of investigation upo1 mere rumor
should not, be thought, be allowed to infu-
epce the Senate's action in this case. The
case then under consideration simply H.
yolved the question of the eligibility Of .
member as affected by bis age. This case,
IL 1t involves anything, involves the ques-
ton of moral turpitude, of personal corrup
ton upon the part Of some member Of
members ofthe last General Assembly; snC
he hoped that for his own sake, and for the
sake of other gentlemen here, who were
also members ofthe last General Assembly
that the resolution might be passed an.
that the investigation might be full ant
complete, since, as at presens worded, al
who belonged to the last Legislature wer,
alike under its ban. ~"
Mr.. Tillman said that he could not, with
out placing himself In false position, op
pose the passage of the resolution, but b
thought it unprecedented for a Legislative
body to appoint an investigating commits
to hunt up evidences Of corruption agains
one hundred public officers, when no spa
cific charges had been made against any Q
them. The Senate had, early in this ses
sion, set a precedent against investigate
the conduct and eligibility of officers O
mere rumors, and he now believed that til
Senate acted properly. Committees whe
appointed ought to know what they are t
investigate, and thould Tot be appointed i
a general charge of corruption ia the dii
charge OF Ofncial duty, by half the publ
officers in the State. II a specific charge
corruption was to be examined into, /
would not necessarily regard the3investg
ton as useless, but charge as general
this, was no charge at all. He should vo
for the resolution, because he was = mer
Der of the last Legislature and did not fe
investigation, but be regarded this inves
CATION as useless expenditure Of pub
time and money. This was the first he b
heard of the 'current report" alluded to
the resolution; but current reports in reSa
to the conduct of public officers are cas-
manufactured, aud they will become We
common if the Legislature undertakes
investigate all OF them.
The resolution was then adopted
. Messrs. Mcconnell, of Trousdale, Ro0el
son and Morgan appointed on the part
the Senate on said committee.
Ef-- REVENUE BILL.
The revenue bill was then taken up q
the following sections amended and agre
TO:
Sec. IL. Be it further enacted, That
TAX collector, on receiving the tax books