Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-03-22
NASHVILLE.
The Memphis CharteF-The Bill
1~hoIfVhtag the Two CoureS-Tne
0ne-sfded Bill to Tax RAILROADS.
The Attate Depository.

n luempuAe SnaFteL-Ane Dill
Adolf Vhtag n I've Courss-Tne
One-sf ded Bill to Tax Railroads
The state Depository.
NASHVILLE. March 20. 1875.
The Senate on yesterday by a unani-
nous vote passed the Memphis charter,
in the shape of an amendment to Col.
Finlay's bill for the organization of mu-
nicipal corporations, all Of which, how
ever, was stricken out except the charter
proper. II only needs a concurrence
upon the part Of the House and the APP
proyal Of the Governor to become a law.
Senator Smith some days ago intro
duced a bill in the shape Of an amend
meut to the bill abolishing the Second
Chancery and Second Circuit Courts of
Shelby county, providing the courts
should have until August LIST, 1876.
Yesterday it was on its second reading.
and was strenuously opposed by the two
Senators from your county and warmly
advocated by its author and Colonel
Marye, whose remarks were in substance
as follows;
The Senate voted to abolish these
courts under the emphatic representa-
tions of the united Memphis delegation
in both branches of the Legislature.
After our action a meeting Of the Mem.
phis bar was held, at which three fourths
Of those present protested against the
extinction of the courts, and represented
that there we're hundreds, if not thou
sands, Of litigated suits upon their
dockets. Now, it is nothing but reason
able that, If the courts are TO be abol-
ished, the time asked in this bill should
be given in which to clear the dockets,
or at least reduce them. Surely, Mr..
Speaker, something is due to the earnest
appeal made to us by so large a majority
OF the bar, who are in a situation to
know the real facts, and | think we
should postpone the abolition of the
courts as asked for in this bill.
The bill was rejected, and, strangely,
the lawyers were almost unanimous for
the bill.
RELEASE OF TUE PENITEETIARY,
The House having passed a bill au.
thorizing a release Of the ~penitentiary
after the expiration of the present lease
the Senate (only nine votes in the az
~6rmatiye) upon its consideration re-
jected it. 1t is probable the bill contained
Objectionable features, and may be re-
considered.
The bill to tax railroads has been
passed BY both Houses. II is full Of al
kinds of defects, and will furnish endless
litigation, which will be fruitful of good
only to lawyers, Railroads should bear
their fair share Of the burdens Of taxa
ton, but this bill will be met by them in
q spirit Of defiance, and not without
! cause, for it contains provisions entirely
= one.sided, and is without doubt most ar
! bitrary.
| Monday will hardly find a quorum il
} either body. A restless feeling exists
. and the very best members Of bott
bodies feel that the sooner the session
ends the better.
. In my last mention was made OF Mr
0 Elders presence here, seeking to hsv'
, the Bank of Commerce designated a
the State depository at Memphis. Hi
eEorts have been entirely successful, anc
such is now the law. have not sufh
. GENTLY examined the bill to be able tt
: state that it repeats the act designating
: the Unicn and Planters Bank as tn,
I depository, but my inference is that i
! does, but if such is not the case tn
|. bank designated by the Treasurer, DR.
Morrow, will receive whatever benefit
may accrue from the State deposits.
Corn.