Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-02-11
prrIr1ors no rHE LEoIsLATuRE.


Ouite a number have been presented
this session upon various subjects. A
wear or two ago thousands Of names
were signed to petitions sent up by the
merchants asking the repeal of the
license tax, OF which they have com
plaiued ever since il was passed, on the
18th Of January. 1870. and il seems
likely that some relief will be granted
at the present session. A petition, pre-
pared, as 1t is understood, by the Cih-
Gems Reform Committee, which was or
gained a year or so ago, has been ex-
tensiyely circulated for signatures. aud
we learn that two citizens started to
Nashville yesterday with the petition.
10 present it TO the Legislature aud
assis. in having the substance Of At
passed as a law. There are nine sections
of the petition, some of which nigh, be
subdivided into minor sections. We
will PRESENT the main points here in a
condensed form as a matter OF informa-
ton for those who may not have read
the entire document and noticed all the
changes contemplated: N ill
Section l. Requests the calling Of a
State Convention to amend the Constr
tuition. 80 r. -,
Sec. 2. The abolition Of one Of the
Chancery Courts and one of the Circuit
Courts. which would dispense with two
indges and their two clerks; to take ei-
feet September, 1873:
Sec. 3. That trial by jury in civil
cases be disposed with, except when de-
manded by parties concerned. lnni1L
Sec. 4. That three assessors for each
county be elected ~ the Quarterly
Court once in three years on salaries
not exceeding $1,000, TO be fixed BY the
court. justices of the peace TO be inellgi-
bic. The assessment when made to
stand for State, county and corporation
purposes for three years.
Sec. 8. That one Tax Collector only
be elected for each county, all others |
elected or appointed to cease to hold I
Office from October lst. 1873, which dis
penses with the Offices Of Tax Collector
on Privileges and collector Of railroad |
taxes in Shelby county, and would prob !
ably abolish the Office of revenue com
missioner, recently created for special
purposes. The Tax Collector is to |
be allowed on the first $4,000 col
lected a commission of six per cent
on the second, three per cent; upon the
third, two per cent? upon the fourth,
one per cent and upon all other collec-
lions one-half Of one per cent The Col |
lector TO be empowered to give pur-
chasers Of real estate sold for taxes a
writ Of possession, under which the /
sheriff shall eject all tenants or persons
occupying the same, and the purchaser
not TO be liable for rents, profits Tor dam |
ages, We presume, in the event Of re-
demption. Such property shall be sub
divided by the Tax Collector previous TO |
sale, where practicable, that no more !
may be sold than necessary TO satisfy
the taxes aud 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
$40, 900, three per cent; on the second,
two per cent; on the third, one per
cent, and on all other sums one-half Of
one per cent.
Sec. 7. A modification Of the County
Court system, whereby the Justices shall
be held to a strict accountability; and
the Chairman Of the Court to give bonds,
not 10 any case to exceed $50, 600; and
making it the duty OF the officers Of said
courts to keep full aud accurate accounts
of their official acts, and requiring said
accounts to be faithfully revised, ap.
proved, etc, by the Quarterly Courts at
stated times.
Sec. 8. That Sheriffs, Clerks Of Courts
and other county and State officers shall
pay into the county and State treasures,
respectively, all fees, perquisites and
emoluments received by them in excess
Of $4,000.
Sec. 3. That Office Of County Attor-
ney be abolished, and the duties thereof
performed by the District Attorney.
Ia conclusion, it is urged that some
legislation is needed to avert the calam-
tiles now efecting the State, by reason
of heavy taxation upon capital stocks
and personal property. 1t will be seen
that a variety Of subjects are embraced;
and as the Constitution prohibits the
Legislature from passing an act which in.
cludes more than one subject, and that to
be expressed in the caption, several acts
will be required to put IN force the vari-
Gus charges enumerated in the petition.
These are nearly all Of an important
character, and the leading ones will
very properly receive attention sepa-
rately as distinct and Independent prop
ositions. After the memorial is pre-
scented, bills will doubtless be framed ad
seriatum and presented for due consid-
GRAFTON, and until such time We reserve
specific comment, meanwhile consulting
the views and best interests Of the peo-
pie. The Legislature is not disposed to
pass important measures without due
consideration. aud every one presented
has to take its course until both sides
eau be fully and impartially heard. We
are heartily in favor Of all practical
measures Of real reform from the ground
work Of our system up. and trust that
whatever changes the Legislature in its
wisdom may make will prove to Be gehu-
inc reforms.