Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-15
Petitions to the LeUt.Iaturs.

EeGlAOn8 to the Legt9A0LuKSs
It Is q growing custom among the
people to sign petitions to the Lee
giSlature asking that certain laws
be passed. Quite q number have
been presented this session upon
various subjects. A year or two
ago thousands of names were sign /
ed to petitions sent up by the mer-
chants asking the repeal of the IL
eense tax, of which they have COM
planned ever since it was passed, on
the 18th of january, 1870, and it
seems likely that some relief will
be granted at the present session
A petition, prepared, as it is under
stood, by the Citizens Reform Com
mittee, which was organized a year
or so ago, has been extensively cir
culated for signatures, and We learn
that two citizens started to Nashville
Yesterday with the petition, to pre-
sent it TO the Legislature sid as
sist in having the substance of it
passed as a law. There are nine
sections of tbs petition, some of
which might be subdiyided into mi
nor sections. We viii present the
Izain points here in a condensed
form as a matter of information for
those who may not have read the
entire document and noticed all the
changes contemplated:
Section 1. Requests the calling of
a State Convention to amend the
Constitution.
Sec. 2. The abolition of one of the
Chancery Courts and one Of the Cir
cult Courts, which would dispense
with two judges and their two
clerks; to take effect September,
1873.
Sec. 3. That trial by jury in civil
cases be disposed with, except when
demanded by parties concerned
| Sec. 4. That three assessors fer
each county be elected by Che Quar-
teriy Court once in three years on
salaries not exceeding 5000, to be
fixed by the court, justices of the
peace to be ineligible. The assess
ment when made to stand for State,
county and corporation purposes for
three years.
Sec. 5. That one Tax Collector
only be elected for each county, al
others elected or appointed to cease
to held Office from October LIST, 1873
which dispenses with the offices o.
Tax Collector on Privileges and
collector of railroad taxes in Shelby
county, and would probably abolish
the Office of revenue commissioner
recently crested for special purpo
ses. The Tax Collector is to be al
lowed on the first $50, 600 collected
| commission Of six per cent; on tn
second, three per cent; upon tn
E third, two per cent; upon the fourth
I one per cent, and upon all othe
I collections one-half of one per cent
The Collector TO be empowered I
give purchasers of real estate sol
for taxes a writ of possession, un
: der which the sheriff shall eject a
: tenants or persons occupying tn
e same, and the purchaser not to b
{ liable for rents, profits Tor damages
\ we presume), in the event of II
r demption. Such property shall b
subdivided by the Tax CcllectO
previous to sale, where practicable
that no more may be sold than N.
cessary to satisfy the taxes and cost
Such property may be ,redeeme
within six months only by payin
the purchaser one hundred per cen
on the amount bid at such sale.-
The County Trustee TO be restricte
to the following commissions: O
the first $4,000, three per cent; Q
the second, two per cent; on Il
third, one per cent, and on all Oth'
sums one-half Of one per cent.
r Sec. z. A modification of Il
County Court system, whereby Il
Justices shall be held to a strict a
eountability and the Chairman
the Court to give bonds, not in al
case to exceed $50, 900; and maxim
it the duty of the officers of sal
courts to keep fall and accurate q
counts of their official acts, and +
curing said accounts to be faithful
ly revised, approved, ETC., by Il
Quarterly Courts at stated times.
Sec. s. That Sheriffs, Clerks
Courts and other county and Sta
officers shall pay into the county al
State treasures, respectively, 4
fees, perQuisites and emoluments +
ceived by them in excess of Sc, 0C
Sec. 9. That the office OF Coun
Attorney be abolished, and the d
ne ties thereof performed by the Di
X trict Attorney.
to In conclusion, it is urged th
ne some legislation is needed to ave
e, the calamities now affecting t
ne State, by reason of heavy taxati,
in upon capital stocks and person
It, property. 1t will be seen that v
j. riety of subjects are embraced; al
IS. as the Constitution prohibits 1
err Legislature from passing an a
which includes more than one So
ject, and that to be expressed in I
caption, several acts will be requir
ae to put iii force the various chang
TO enumerated in the petition. The
are nearly all of an important chs
acter, and the leading ones will We
properly receive attention separai
T. ~ as distinct and independent pr
lie positions. After the memorial
X presented, bills will doubtless
lg framed al seriGtUm and present.
ne for due consideration, and until su
IN time we reserve specific cOmmer
&c meanwhile consulting the views NJ
l. best interests of the people. L
J. Legislature is not disposed to pa
ne important measures without d.
Of consideration, and every one pr
O. sented has TO tsKs its course uni
ID both sides can be fully and impa
ell TALLY heard. We are heartily in
$, vor of all practical measures Of re
10 reform from the groundwork
our system up, and trust that wha
Of ever changes the Legislature in
Of wisdom may make will prove to
Dr. genuine reforms.-NeBI. Ledger.
sF
re The PenttenIiary.
G.