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


lowing words: 'sCorporations not posses
sing banking powers or privileges may be
formed under general law; but shall not
be created By special acts, except for munl-
cipal purposes and in cases wherein the
judgment of the General Assembly the OBJ
jects of the corporations cannot be attained
under general laws" Therefore,
Resolved, That it is extremely doubtful
whether any railroad c. arter granted since
April l, l84S, by the Legislature of Illinois
is of any validity, and that the vested rights
of the railroad monopolies in this State ex-
ist only by the assumption Of the monopo-
lies and the sufferance of the people.
And, whereas, the constitution of 1870,
article II. section 13, prohibits any railroad
company from issuing watered stock in
these words: "No railroad corporation shall
issue any stock or bonds except for money,
labor or property actually received, and ap-
piled to the purposes for which such cor
poration was created, and all stock, diVi-
denGs, and other fictitious increase Of t
capital stock or Indebtedness of any such
corporation shall be void; the capital stock
ofno railroad corporation shall be increased
for any purpose except upon giving 60 days
public notice in such manner as may be
provided by law" and whereas, this article
of the constitution has probably been vio-
lated by nearly all the railroad companies
in the State: therefore
Resolved, That it is the duty of the rail
load commissioners to look carefully into
this matter and to commence proceedings
in all clear cases by quo warranto or other
wise, against all railroad companies which
disregarded this important provision of the
organic law of the State.
Resolved, That we regard the improve
ment of the Illinois river not sectional, but
of great Importance, and we request the
members of the House of Representatives
to vote for the bill now pending for the i'm
proyement of that river, as it viii give our
State absolutely in the hands Of the people.
A Dig at Protection.
Resolved, That we demand of Congress
repeal of all laws preventing the compe-
tition of small vessels which may choose to
engage in the carrying trade on our inland
lakes between ports in the United States,
without regard to nationality.
Resolved, That we are in favor of the i'm
mediate repeal of the protective duties on
iron, steel, lumber and all materials which
enter into the construction of railroad cars,
steamships, sailing vesse els, agricultural i'm
plements, etc, and hat we urge upon Con-
gress Immediate action for this purpose;
that cheap railroads and cheap ships are
necessary to cheaper freights, and that we
invite railroad companies to co operate with
us to that END.
Spicy.
A motion was adopted that the resolu-
tions be read aud acted upon seriatim.
The resolution in reference to the accept
ance of railroad passes by members of the
Legislature, was the first upon which any
discussion arose. Spicy speeches were
made upon this resolution by several dele
gates, and it was finally amended by in
Guiding State and county officers and all
other persons, and as thus amended was
adopted.
The resolution favoriDg the passage of
the bill now before the Legislature for the
improvement of the Illinois river, was
tabled, by a very decided majority vote.
A motion was made to table the resolu-
ton permitting free traffic on the lakes of
the United States betweenthe United States
ports by all vessels regardless of na!ionali-
ty, but the motion was lost and the resolu-
ton adopted. e.aI.a.
Confused.
When the last resolution favoring the re-.
peal of the tariff dulles upon iron, steel and
other material which enter into the con-
struction of railroads, ships, etc, consider
able confusion arose, and motion was
made to lay it on the table. The motion
was lost by an evident majority. A dele
gate then moved to amend
The resolution by striking out
that portion of the resolution which
requests the coperation Of the railroads in
attaining the object of the resolution, the
mover declaring that be wanted no alliance
with his natural enemies. A sharp but
rather confused discussion followed, nearly
all the speakers deprecatiDg the proposed
amendment, as the farmers did not con-
slider the railroads their natural enemies;
their interests were closely identified, and
all the farmers asked was equal rights wi tn
them. The amendment WAS rejected and
the original resolution of the committee
adopted.
A Strong Hint.
A delegate offered the following addition
al resolution which was agreed to unani-
mously:
Resolved, That the members of the pres
ent Legislature be requested to pass rail-
road law before they adjourn.
Tne resolutions as a whole then were
adopted with few dissenting votes. A
motion instructing the Secretary to furnish
copies of the resolutions to both houses of
the legislature was made and carried.
There being 10 further business before
the Convention, calls were made for
speeches, and Representative Greed, State
Senator Whiting and several others, made
short addresses. The Convention then ad-
journed until O'Clock to morrow morning.
1t is not expected that any further bust
ness will be transacted, and the session
will be devoted to speech-making.
The Railroad war I'm Jersey.
TRENTON, April 2.-The Governor has
signed the monopoly railroad bill. Flags
are flying in honor Of the release of New
Jersey from railroad monopoly. A bill has
passed both Houses exempting from muni-
cipal taxation the main stem aud principal
passenger aud freight depots excepting at
terminal points to include ten acres, all
other property including rolling stock to be
subject to municipal as well as State tax.
The RaiIrOa DIS Defeated in Arkansas.
LITTLE Rock, April 2.-House bill to
release the lien of the State on bonds is
sued to aid in construction of railroads was
tab ed in the House to-day by vote 40 to
81.
House bill to authorize the Governor to
fill all vacancies in office by appointment
passed in the Senate.
No Blood Split.
COLUMBUS, o., April 2. In the Senate
the greater pat of the day was spent in de-
bate on Smiths Senate bill to regulate the
charges for freight on railroads.
In the House all the day was spent on
the general appropriation bill, the only
thing of interest being a lively discussion,
during which Hon. James Scott, of Warren,
declared Hon. w. G. Mcfarland, of CleYe-
land, to be liar. No blood spilled.
HOOsier Temperance.
INDIANAPOLIS, April 2.-The State
Temperance Convention met here to-day.
Thei. discussions called out the opinion
that the temperance men must look TO the
character Of the judges and prosecuting at
toTneys and that every township should be
organized for the purpose of giving infor-
nation aud otherwise aiding in the prose-
cution of offenders.
The st. LOuis Election.
ST. LOUIS, April 2.-ReturDs from all the
precincts of the city received at very late
hour last night, give the whole Democratic
4 a. fnriru n