The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1873-02-21

ESLlt1onS 90 Inc Legislature.
The Memphis ledger Of the 18th inst
says it is growing custom among the
people to sign petitions to the Legislature
asking that certaiulaWs be passed. Quite
a number have been presehted this ses>
sion upon various. subjects. A year or
two ago, thousands Of names were sikn ID
to peti ions sent up by the merchants
asking the repeal of-the license tx. of
which they have implanted ever since it
was passed, on the 18th of January, 1870,
and it seems kelly that some relief will
be granted at the present session. A
petition, presented, as it is understood,
by the Citizens Reform Committee,
which was organized year or so ago,
has been extensively circulated for sigma
lures, and We learn that two citiz.ns
stared to Nashville yesterd with he
petition, to present it to the Legislature
ana assist in having the substance Of It
passed as a law. There are nine sections
of the petition, some of which mi-h' be
subdiyided into minor sectors. We will
present the main points mere in ii cons
densed form, aa a matter Of Information
for those who may not have read the en-
tire document and noticed ali the changes
contemplated
Section l. Requests the ealing Of a
State Convention to amend the Cousti.uo
ton.
Sec. 2. The abolition Of one of the
Chaacery Courts and one Of the Circuit
| Courts, which would dispense with two
Judges and their two clerks to take eff
feet September, 1878
Sec. 3. That trial By jury in civil cases
be dispensed with, except when demanded
by parties concerned.
Sec 4. That three assessors fer each
county be elected by the Quarterly Court
once in three years, on salaries not ez-
| ceeding $1,000, to be fixed 10y the court,
justices of the peace to be ineligible.
The assessment, when made, to stand for
State, county and corporation purposes
for three years.
See s. That one Tax Collector only be
elected for each county, all others elected
| or appointed to cease TO hold Office from
October lst, 1873, which dispenses with
the Offices of Tax Collector on Privileges
and Collector of Railroad Taxes IN Shelby
county, and would probably abolish the
Office of Revenue Commissioner recently
created for special purposes. The Tax
Collector is to be allowed on the first
$50 600 collected commission of six per
cent; upon the second, three per cent;
upon the third, two per cent; upon the
fourth, one per cent, and upon all other
collections one half Of one per cent The
collector to be empowered to give puT>
chasers of real estate sold for taxes a writ
Of possession, under which the sheriff
shall eject al tenants or persons occupy
ing the same, and the purchaser not to
be liable for rents, profits Tor damage, We
presumed in the event of redemption
such property shall be subdivided by the
Tax Collector previous to sale, where
practicable, that no more may be sold
than necessary TO satisfy the taxes and
| costs. Such property may be redeemed
within six months only By paying the
| purchaser one hundred per cent. on the
amount bid at such sale. The County
Trustee to be restricted to the following
commissions On the first $4,000, three
per cent; on the second, two per cent;
on the third, one per cent, and on all
/ OklbA runs OL-CTAiClll VI OAAG kfGL GC4lts
| Sec. T. 4 modification OF the County
| Court system, whereby the Justices shall
/ be held to strict accountability and
the Chairman Of the Court TO give bonds
not In any case to exceed S500 900; and
making it the duty Of the officers Of said
| courts to keep full and accurate accounts
! Of their Official acts, and requiring said
! accounts to be faithfully revised, approv>
ed, ETC., by the Quarterly Courts at stated
| times.
Sec. s. That Sherifa, Clerks of Courts
and other county and State officers shall
pay into the county and State treasures,
| respectively. all fees, perquisites and
emoIuments received by them in excess OF
$4,000.
Sec. o. That the Office of County At
! torney be abolished, and the duties there,
of performed by the District Attorney.
In conclusion, says the Ledger, it is
urged that some legislation is needed to
avert the ca!amities now affecting the
State, by reason Of heavy taxation upon
capital stocks and personal property. Ii
will be seen that variety Of subjects are
embraced and as the Constitution pro
hibits the Legislature from passing an ac
which includes more than one subject
and that to be expressed in the caption
several acts will be required to put il
force the various changes enumerated II
the petition. These are nearly all of az
important character, and the leading
ones viii very property receive attention
separately as distinct and Independent
propositions. After the memorial is pre-
scented, bills viii doubtless be framed al
sc,iatim, and presented FOR due oonsider
alton, and until such time we reserv
specific comment meanwhile consulting
the views and best interests ofthe people
The Legislature is not disposed TO pas
important measures without due consil
Grafton, and every one presented has
take It's course until both sides can b
fully and impartially heard. We fave
, practical measures of reform, and tru'
that whatever changes the Legislature /
) it's wisdom may make will prove to
! genuine reforms.
Tennessee's Illiteraey.