Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-01-09
COUNTY COURT.
Fourth DAYS Proceedings.

AVuA III I'D! proceedings.
Provision for Provisioning the Pa
rentiess-Ehe County Revenue-The
county Asylum business 10 the
Front Again-0ur Taxes for this
Henr-A SPLIT in the 18th District
Chnrity 10 the Extent OF sI,oOO-Va-
grants TO be Looked Affer-COmpIi-
mentary TO Judge Ferris-An Aef of
Justice Performed by the Dispens-
ers Of County Justice Resolutions of
Respect.
Court met pursuant 10 adjournment.
Judge Ferris IN the chair, and iifiy-eight
members present.
TIE ORPHANS.
The resolution offered by Justice Kerri-
gan just previous 10 tlie adjournment
Wednesday afternoon, was taken up. The
resolution was so amended as 10 authorize
the committee 10 make a contract with the
counsel for their services, and was then
adOpted-Justices Maxey, Paul aud AIea-
cham were appointed said committee.
REVENUE.
Justice Maxey offered the following:
Be it ordered that the privilege tax on 1ner-
chants for the year 1874 shall be the same
as the advaloreui tax for 1874. Prorided.
That in no case shall il be less than five
dollars.
BE it further ordered that the tax on
privileges shall remain the same as in
1873.
Justice Neylan moved to amend by adj
ding: 'And that an amount sufficient to
make up the deficit of $4,000 be
added"
The amendment was agreed to, the resO-
luton adopted, and the following were ap-
pointed committee to present a report
fixing the taxes for 1874: Justices Wand,
Maxey and Creighton.
VISITING THE COUNTY ASYLUM.
Justice Patterson moved that the special
committee appointed to visit the County
Asylum on a tour Of investigation be re-
qUested to make that visit to-day, in order
that the clamOr Of the public may be salts
fed.
Justice Cheatham, as Chairman of the
special committee, considered the motion
as entirely ont OF order. He thought the
committee should be left to choose their
own time. He proposed to make thorough
examination when he did 90, and, in order
~ 10 LlAlSs IL NOllNl uG lItEtSSdIA " Adht I'LL
entire day for the task.
Justice Paul conceded with the views of
Justice Cheatham.
Justice Walsh said that
\ TERRIBLE STIR
had been raised BY the published state
mentS regarding the condition of the Asy-
lum. He was in favor Of the entire court
visiting the Asylum.
Justice Saunders hoped the entire court
would visit the Asylum, and that no warn
ing should be given the keeper.
Mr.. Harris, Superintendent of the Asy-
lum, said he would object To the entire
court coming, for the reason that in such
case il would be impossible for the visit to
be kept from him. He wanted the visit to
be a surprise 10 him, and the institution TO
be seen just as it IS. The charges with re-
gard to a lack Of bed clothing and food
among those pauperS, wer, not true. Ev-
cry paupeT in the Asylum has from two to
five blankets. and they get plenty Of food.
The old and feeble ones are fed from his
table. At the time of the visit, the insti-
tuition was in an unusually uncomfortable
Owing to the fact Of its being
Christmas holidays, his servants had been
allowed their own time for a week. There
are women in the Asylum who would hide
their bed clothing. if they knew Of people
the institution, and then tell pit
iful story OF their condition. If half the
BGHHeT'S article, which has been referred
to, is true, then he Is not III to keep that
Asylum. Il had so worked upon his mind
that he had hardly slept a wink since that
time.
Justice Curtis stated that he had visited
the Asylum on two different occasions, aud
had found matters as well managed in con-
nectiOn Herewith as it was possible 10 do
under the circumstances. On the occasion
OF his first visit he had visited every house.
had talked wiki the inmates, and had been
told by them that they were well treated.
Justice TrePpard defied any one 10 take
good care OF those pIUpers with the facili-
ties afforded the keeper al present. He had
objected TO the name Of the Institution be-
Ing changed from Penthouse to County
Asylum, Tor if there was ''pOOr house on
The face Of the earth, the buildings pro-
,ided by this county for her poor people
Els the bill. lie blamed the County Court
for the present fearful condition Of the
Asylum.
Justice TavlO-. 4 member of the Asylum
Committee, said that he had asked the in
mates Of that institution if they didn't
WANT MATTRESSES,
md they said Motley would rather
nave straw ticks, and when these were fur |
lIshed they would empty the straw and |
ear up the ticks.
Justice Patterson withdrew his motion. |
Justice Meacham offered the following: |
BE it ordered by the County Court Of |
Davidson county. that the special commit /
ec appOinted to investigate and report up |
N the condition Of the County Asylum he /
instructed to make an inventory Of all the
'erSOnal property, including stock Of all
,indS belonging to the county; also report
he amount of stock on said farm not be-
Onging to the county, if any. of every de-
criptiOn, and to whom belonging, and TO
ppTOXimate as nearly as possible the cost
f keeper, including salary, and support |.
f said keepe: and family to the county.
Be it further ordered, that the physician
mplOyed to attend the County Asylum
hall be required 10 visit said institution at
East three times each and every week and
ftener if needed and sent for by the keep
BE it further ordered, that the ministers
f the Gospel Of the various denominations
e invited and requested to make such az
As viii insure preaching at said
lstitution at least two Sundays in each
lOnth.
Justice Harris said that bibles had been
FINISHED all the inmates Of the asylum,
ho utilized them by propping up windows
it'll them.
The resolution was adopted.
he RESIGNS.
Justice Cheatham rose to 4 question Of
-ivileLe, and said that IS there seemed
) be disposition on the part Of the court
} cJunber the committee appointed 10 visit
le asylum with arbitrary instructions,
2 would therefore decline to act as chair
an of said committee but Womb visit the |