Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-12-18
NASHVILLE.
Measures of Reform Already Pre-
pared. The AK ShaIpensa
For the Work.
General Bate the Coming Man as
Against Andrew John on.
some "Highty Interesting Read.
ing.''

NASHVILLE December II, 1914.
To the Editor of the Ledger;
To the kindness of prominent mem
Der OF the Upper House of the next
General Assembly are your readers in.
debted for my ability to give them some
measures OF interest which will be pre-.
scented to that body.
They are submitted for their consider
alton without comment, because to the
wisdom alone of the elected representa-
tives Of the people is the welfare Of Ten
nessee now committed. That she needs
wise legislation, prudent and discreet re-
forms is unquestionable; but your cor
respondent doubts, at least, the policy
of giving her officials but pittance.
In their order, as given us. we submit
these measures briefly and without en-
bellishment:
To consolidate the revenue officers,
devolying all the duties on the County
Trustee, and reducing their commissions
To reduce the salaries ard fees Of
clerks Of courts and Attorneys General
To abolish the office OF Superintendent
of the State prison. (And. by the way.
it is thought General Frank Cheatham
will be rendered the place by Governor
Porter. DR.. Wright, the present ineum-
bent, does not want it any longer.
To empower revenue officers to garni-
shee tenants to satisfy taxes due on real
estate.
To enforce the collection of poll
tax and to empower revenue officers TO
uarnishee any debt in order to do so.
To limit the Indebtedness Of munich
pal corporations to a given per centage
| of their assessed wealth.
To reform and remodel the assessment
laws
To provide for county work houses.
To supercede the County Court by
county legislatures, members to be
elected every two years and receive no
pay.
To provide for State currency after
the plan submitted by Governor Kemper,
of Virginia, TO the Legislature Of that
State.
To amend the mortgage laws.
To repeal the third section of the
funding bill.
These embrace all in the reform d.
rection that we have authority for max
ing public, but the interest in the Sens-
torial election here is too great for one
to hear anything but discussion Of it.
Does it interest your peopiel If so,
conjectures, speculations aud predic-
lions will not be out Of place in your
columns
Five candidates are in this city-four
at the Maxwell House-viz Andy
johnson, Governor John c. BroYn.
General W. A. Quarles and Colonel j.
II. Savage, and the fifth, General
Bate. resides here; Judge Stevens, of
your city, Is 10 speak at Jackson on the
18th. The six gentlemen above men.
toned and Judge Edwin II. Ewing are
the understood candidates.
The contest will be hard and bitter
one. Already organizations are talked
OF, cancellations sought and the olive
branch extended from the friends Of Mr..
johnson TO his foes, and as startling as
it may seem, from Mr. Edmund Cooper
to him in the shape Of a most fattering
eniogy ip bis brief read in the Gentry
case now before the Supreme Court.
The Quatre Bras 10 Waterloo will likely
lie over the organization Of the two
Houses. The states on both sides pub
lie rumOr gives. | withhold names,
because have no desire to quote public
rumor Tor authority; but j do not hest
tate from my own judgment, based upon
the best information / have been able TO
obtain, TO give my ideas Of how the race
will end
Mr.. johnson is to outward appear
ances yery sanguine, and has unQuestion-
ably gained ground IN the last ten days.
The report has gained credence through.
out the State that the Shelby county
delegation in a caucus agreed 10 support
him as a unit Upon the strength Of
that support his friends claim fifteen
votes for him from West Tennessee and
twenty eightfrom East Tennessee. These
figures elect him, but there are certainly
four votes from East Tennessee which
be can never get and as many from
West Tennessee / do not believe il
possible for him 10 be elected, but il looks
like death struggle between him and
General W. B. Bate, which nay termi.
nate IN the election Of an outsider.
General Bate has beea thus far very
quiet, but not 80 with his friends Who are
active, numerous, jealous and devoted,
and It appears TO me compose every man
in tho State ~ho served under him in the
late war. Their singular unanimity Of
preference for him and HE known devo.
ton to his party, his terms Of friendship
with the Democratic leaders. particu.
larry those of them who ere nov his
rivals, in my judgment, gives him the
best change Of success IRON the eaudi.
dates. Corn.
At one Of the large fancy goods stores
in New York the girls employed are
obliged to be on duty during the months
Of December aud January from eight in
the morning until ten at night, aud they
49, - r.