Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-03-10
TO TAX RAILROADS.
our Special Correspondent.l

From our Special COrrespondent.l
NASHVILLE, March S.-One of the
most important bills introduced in the
legislature is one introduced in the SEN
ate this morning by Mr.. Blizzard, in
lieu of all others, looking to taxation
of railroads. The bill provides that all
property belonging to railroads in this
State, real, personal and mixed, shall
be aggregated together, that to be divid-
ed by the number OF miles in length of
the road. Each mile shall represent an
integral part of the whole aggregate, and
the number of miles within a given
county shall be taxed by that county for
county purposes, the entire length of
road within the State to be taxed by the
State. There has been for several days
an unusual number OF railroad men cir.
culating about the capital, buttonholing
the members, but from present indica-
tons this bill, or one of similar char.
acter, will become law in spite of the
influences which have been or may be
brought to bear by railroad men to the
contrary. In this time of financial dis
tress, 10 means Of relieving the tax-pay-
ers will be overlooked by the legisla-
ture.
THE IMMIGRATION BILL,
introduced in the house by MIR. Giers,
passed third reading this afternoon, after
a lengthy discussion. Mr.. Giers madea
strong argument in favor of the meas
ure, bringing facts and figures to the
support Of his position. The main
speech Of the opposition was made by
Mr.. Hsrriss, of Washington, who differs
from your ordinary run Of Harrises in
that he not only disdains collars and
neckties, but goes through life with the
two upper buttons of his shirt unbut-
toned, and spells his name with two SIS.
This distinguished statesman was Op-
posed to the bill on principle. He had
found that the majority of immigrants
are the "lazzarony" of the old world,
and he was opposed to the State ex-
author of the bill is himself foreigner,
this wholesale denunclation of immi-
grants was rather severe on him. The
bill provides for the establishment Of
bureau of immigration, under charge of
a commissioner, who is to receive for
salary, travelling and other expenses, the
sum of two thousand dollars. This is
mesger enough, but the bill paves the
way for something more worthy the
State.
. BILL
was rejected on third reading in the
house Saturday, but a motion to recon-
slider was entered. That motion was
called up to-day and carried, so that the
bill is yet before the house on final con-
sideration, and will probably pass with
some minor amendments. Mr.. Finlay
has been IN consultation with the gen.
tlemen who came up from Memphis in
no, Nod ~
tain points, and he and they agree gen.
orally as to what should be incorporated
in the bill with single exception, and
that is with regard to the election Of a
city tax-collectOr as we'll as a county
tax-collector, Mr.. Finlay holding that
the duties of the former can be very well
attended to by the latter, and thus re-
duce municipal expenses. The corpora
ton bill which was gotten up by certain
residents OF Nashville and introduced in
the senate, has passed two readings be-
fore that body, and will doubtless come
up on third reading within a few days.
Mayor Howell, with several members
of the city council, are looking after it
with great diligence and perseverance.
THE TORBETT ISSUE
of the Bank of Tennessee has been the
subject of general conversation in the
city since the decision announced by the
supreme court Saturday adverse to the
bank, and this morning Senator Turley
offered resolution instructing the judi
ciary committees of the two houses to
at once take the resolution into consid-
GRAFTON, and report what legislation, if /
any, was needed in the premises. The
rules were suspended, the resolution
unanimously adopted and Immediately
engrossed and transmitted to the house,
in order that it might be acted upon as
soon as possible. 1t is understood that the
amount of "war issue" thus legaIized is
about one million dollars, provided there
were no notes fraudulently printed since
the beginning of the war, the plates be-
longing to the bank having misteriously
disappeared several years ago, so that it
is possible there are number of bills in
circulation which the bank officers know
nothing about.
WHY HE'S ALWAYS LATE.
One member of the senate, tall,
dignified man with dark eyes and hair,
has answered to his name when the
rcll was being called, but five times
since the beginning Of the session,
though he frequently enters the senate
chamber just as the last names are
reached. 1t was generally conceded
that he did not thus procrastinate for the
purpose of escaping the morning prayer
which is offered just before the roll is
caIled-as he is strict Presbyterian Of
the old school.
"Why is it you are always few mo-
ments behind time at the opening of the
sessionp' inquired Judge Logan few
days since, with q view of having this
mystery cleared up.
Because" was the reply, sit is so
plebjGn to be always on hand the very
moment you are expected"
PERSONAL,
Mr.. A. T. Lacey, Of Memphis, speaker