Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-10
DAvIDSON's
Fun Text of the Recommendation
Barring the Dig at Judge Feffisss
SanaIhIa nnenmanf

20 - u AGEMA1In .
Sensible Document.
Below will be found the memorial Of the
County Court Of Davidson 20 the Legisla-
ture, prepared and signed by a majority Of
the committee appointed for that purpose.
With the exception Of two amendments, it
is the identical document Of which a synop-
sis was given in the UNION AND AMERI-
CAN Of Jan. 81. The amendments relate
TO the Law Court and County Judge, and
were pointed ont IN yesterdays issue. In
a note appended to the memorial, Judge
FERRIS refuses to 90 back on bis record as
financial agent Of the county, BY endorsing
the re-establishing Of the quorum court:
To the General Assembly Of the State Of
Tennessee: The undersigned, a commit
tee appointed by the County Court Of
Davidson county, touching certain ques-
tiOns Of grave interest, involving the reduc-
tion Of expenditures, and looking for re-
trenchment and reform, beg leave to pre-
sent for your consideration the following
facts, figures and suggestions, and respect
fully ask for such legislation as will remedy
the present evils: The Criminal Court Of
Davidson county COS. in 1873, S23,956; in
1874, S~25,672.1l.
we RESPECTFULLY 6AUlAAI AAAll ~ A4Al4l
meanOr cases be tried before magistrates,
from whose decision if appeal is taken,
bond and dpprOUed security be taken for
all costs. If witnesses are brought before
the grand jury, let the number be re-
stricted, and give to the grand jury inquisi-
torial power in all misdemesnOr cases.
Make petit larceny all sums over S25 and
under $50; all sums S25 and uader INSIDE
meenor. Enact stringent laws on vagrancy.
Make Il misdemeanor, punishable by hne
or Imprisonment In the county Work-hOuse,
comforting authority on the county courts
to erect such, and to work prisoners on
county roads, or in such manner as the
court may direct.
The Law Court Of Davidson county cost,
in 1873, S4S93. Two terms cost, in 1874,
S2,2S2. Abolish trial by jury in that court
The Circuit Court Of DavidsOncOunty cost
in 1873, S6,259; in 1874, S6,241.6l. In all
appeals to a circuit court, let bond and Gp-
pTotgd security be taken Of the losing
party. to abide the decision q that court
and TO pay damages Of 12t per cent. wren
the judgment is confirmed. When a jury
is asked for by litigants, let the losingparty
be taxed with the cost Of such jury, the
party asking it to give bond and approved
security. In palpef ssses no appeal, ex-
eept by certiOrari and supersedeas.
Consolidate the office Of reye-
nue. collector and railroad tax collector
with that Of county trustee, he to per-
form the duties Of all, and make such a
reduction Of the present per entage, as will
enable the Trustee to perform those duties,
to take effect from and after the expiration
Of the present terms Of incumbents. The
present mode Of preparing tax books IS
somewhat Objectionable; let Collectors
books be prepared, which shall contain re-
ceipts properly filed up for each tax payer,
alphabetically arranged, with a margin like
a check book, which shall exhibit the name,
the amount due, and the date OF the
payment, when the taxes are paid, the re-
ceipt to be detached and delivered, the
margin being retained by the collector.
When settlements are made with collectors,
they are to be held responsible for eUery
recent not found in their books. Such a
plan would alike protect the taxpayer and
collector, as, if 4 receipt be lost or mislaid,
the margin Of the proposed book would
show the payment, and this plan Will rem
der very simple all settlements made with
collectors.
We respectfully suggest that assess
ments on realty be made once in i've years
for State, county, and municipal taxa
ton; after such assessments the County
COurtsto appoint, say, three suitable persons
to equaliZe them, whose decision h be
binding on all. Such changes in the laws as
will better regulate the manner Of paying
printers, clerks and revenue collectors fees,
att present the State, the counties aud The
municipal corporations, advance the fees,
sales Of property as a. present provided for
do not relieve them, or either Of them.
Change section 1877 subsection Of the
Code, so as to read one dollar instead Of
tuO dollars, for failure or refusal to work
-Chauge section 1875 subsection C so as to
read one dollar in place Of SeUeRtyJiUe
cents.
Re-establish the Quorum Court for Da-
wilson county, establish a Probate Court Of
Davidson county, with similar powers and
jurisdiction as are nOW given TO the Probate
Court of Shelby county, the present Judge
of the County Court Of Davidson 10 hold
said court until the next Judicial election
in said county.
Let one half the number Of magistrates
constitute the County Court, to be deter
mined in each civil district by lot, they TO
alternate, with pay two dollars go per
day.
Let the State give OF sell its interest in
all turnpike roads to the counties, with
authority for such counties to buy the III
terest of the stockholders in the same,
make them free Of toll, and require the
counties to keep them in good repair.
All of which Is respectfully submitted.
II. i. CLAIBORNE,
S. A. DULING,
p. W. MAXEY,
JNO. II. BAsKETTE.
The committee hand with this memorial
a o o of the letter Of one Of their number,
Judge FERRIS:
NASHVILLE, Feb. S, 1S75.-To the
Chairman Of Committee on Memorial
ST.: As the Judges Of all County Courts
are the financial agents of the counties and
are made so by Law; and as l have tried to
do my duty faithfully as such agent, aud as
nv course has met with general favor
among the best business men Of the city,
and that the main issue before the people
when l was elected was the financial con-
dition Of the county, 1 cannot with any
consistency condemn my own cOurse-When
| have strictly cOnfOrmed to the law IN
every particular. l have made my quarter
" reports, and annual reports, and they
have been approved By the quarterly court,
and the people; and l think l am still able
and competent to manage the finances OF
this county, with the assistance Of The
quarterly court as 1 ever have been. L
therefore decline to recommend anything
in this light. -.
And, so IA as chairman IS concerned, II
a majority of the Justices do not want me,
l will appoint one Of their number every
term to hold said court, and do nothing
more with that body. l know there are a
few members that wOull like to manage
affairs any way, so, by the consent OF a
majority, 1 will yield, but not otherwise,
and in all other matters in the petition L
concur. Respectfully,
JOIN G. FERRIss.
LOCAL OPTION.
An Ex7IaDatiOn From b Leader OF
the Movement.
To the Union aud American;
The report of the Temperance meeting
of last night in your issue Of this morning,