Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-02-02

From an Occasional Correspondent
NASHVILLE, January 30.-The pro-
ceedings in the Legislature to-day
were unimportant, except so far as
Shelby county was concerned. Senator
Mcconnell, of East Tennessee, intro
duced a bill to abolish the courts of
Shelby and reOrganize them. His bill
provides for one Chancery, two Circuit
and one Criminal COurt. Mr. Cummings
of Upton, introduced another in the
House, abOiishing Second Chancery
and Second Circuit, and the Bartlett
Court. Both bills passed first reading
and were referred TO the Judiciary Com
mittees iH their respective houses. Mr.
Cummings, however, met with OppO-
sition bat once. Representative Mulvi-
hill objected to its passage on first read
ing, and the vote was very encouraging
to the opponents Of the bill so far as
your correspondent could learn,
the members from Shelby are divided
some maintaining that we have too
many courts, and the rest that they
are all necessary, except the Bartlett
Court. That is doomed, unless the
voice of Shelby is raised i'm its behalf
Many and various were the surmises
that the Introduction of these bills oc-
casiOBed, the East Tennessee members
being almost unanimous in their sup
port OF McCOnnely, alleging that the
administration of justice in Shelby costs
more than in all East Tennessee, and
say that they cannot understand il, and
as far as they are concerned will pre-
vent it, if they can, by legislation.
Your correspondent has also heard it
suggested that in all probability il was
q partisan measure of retaliation for a
similar one; but that cannot be the case,
for one was introduced by
Democrat, snd the other could
not possibly be passed by a strict party
vote.
The Reform party, which in the early
part Of last summer was so numerous
and clamOTous for reform, is suspected
cf being the instigatOr of the bill IN the
House. Reform, Tetrenchment, and
probably little vindictiveness, the one
in the Senate. But your officials need
have no alarm. Neither will pass nm
less it be the expressed wish of your
people that they desire one or the other
to do so.
Shelby is not in the best standing
here. Her people cost too much in pro-
portion TO the taxes they pay, aud the
State has been very unfortunate ia not
receiving the taxes collected by two or
three Collectors, to the amount Of nearly
three hundred thousand dollars.
The legislature, however, Irrespective
Of party, is alive to the true interests OF
the people of the whole State, and any
law which viii aid your people will be
enacted, it being only necessary to show
that it will do 50.
The members from Shelby are fully
alive TO the responsibilities which rest
upon them, and are labOring with all
their ability. IN the interests Of their con-
stituents.
The merchants have a representative
in Mr.. Speaker Lacey that they have
every reason to be proud Of II it is in
the power of one man, be will blot from
tne statute books the infamous privilege
tax under which your merchants are
Your correspondent has heard that he
was preparing a bill in conformity to
the constitution, which prOvides for q
tax on values in lieu Of all other taxa
ton. That is to say, all values are taxed
once and only once, and if Mr.. Al
money is invested in Mr.. C.'s land, MIR.