Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-03-23
Especial Corresp spondence OF tho Bristol News.
OUR NASHVILLE LETTER.
DOings of the LcgIslature-Civil
Hights-Pnblic Buildings
Newspapers, &c.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.
March y, 1875.

ED. OF THE News
TIE Legislature is terribly in ear
nest Just 54OtC. Night sessions are not
uncommon. The cry is "Retrcach-
ncnt- RcJO,m." II is quite amusing
10 hear the many expressions INDUCED
ia 10y members, touching their extreme
sensltIveness in complying with tic
JCW of their constituents. For these
they live and toll and for these, it
seems, they are ready To be offered up
would even die. Such Rn overflow
of in erest for my constituency"
smacks of Fourth of July patriotic
gushings Of ante bellum days. Evil
IDENTIFY many lose sight OF the reia-
tons they sustain 20 the State at large
ia their zeal to be on the safe side of
my constitutn Ihi, bOdy in
terestcd In the State? inquiries the
visitor Can't see it" is The answer,
Much of the time is all Icvity and
amusement. Well, many Of my con-
s.itueuts would blush il they were to
stumble imto the Houoc during = night
session, ANA could hear the ridiculous
motions made as mere pleasantly
when grave subjects are being coneId-
e!ed. all motions maize and rcsolu-
tions introduced were eIsIeTtd Oh the
legislative record they would save
many a representative the trouble Of
telling achy nothing Was done in the
Interest Of ing constituents"
''A little fun, now and then
i rellahcd by the WiEcgt men,
says some one. All agree to this but
these are times Of 900 great moment
10 turn our legislative halls into
clowns rings" OF course those
who indulge in such amusement do
not mean any harm-no disrespect-
and are sensitive TO the honor OF the
State, still they are seemingly inseaSi-
bic to her interest and that of their
constituency, and especially as to the
impression they make on strangers of
their own and other States. The
greatest sticklers for gravity would
not have observed the decOrum Of the
Supreme Court, but such, however az
would evidence little self respect as
well as regard for their OaIhs, and es-
pccially when seated as Representa-
tives.
Aswould be presumed this pleasant
ry in legislation is confined to the fclC.
Ii does seem that the presence ofgrave
men as East, GaI denhire, Lee, Car
son, Leeper, and their like would ST.
lence ANYTHING OF the kind The Sen
ate is a model body. 1t is all a0ork,
work, Among its most active work
ers are the Senatoss from East Tenn.
Hon. j. G Hodges, as characteristic of
him, is oil the time actively engaged.
He has made a fine impression here.
So has Senator Emert.
The Clerk, Col. Helms, is the hard
est worked man i'm the Legislature -
1t suits him +, he would die ii he did
not have plenty of hard work. He is
much complimented for his efficiency.
The House has some worki men,
As might be expected, the more active
are in the main, those who have been
here before. East, Lee, Lceper, Car
son, and Gardenhire are among the
oldest members of the House They
are men of much experience anG high
lv regarded for their opinion. Hon.
]. h. Mathes, of Memphis, is one of
the most actice young members He
is an East Tennesseean and rising
man. Hon. Mr.. Starres, of Hawkins,
and Hon. MIR. Patton, of Claiborne,
are young men of work. Their coun-
ties have cause to be proud Of them.
Mr.. Taylor of Garter county. promis-
os to share the distinguished reputE-
tion OF his illustrious father. He is a
Young man of decided ability. Col.
Mel, of Miegs county, sustains his
college reputation-is a man of fine
oratorical ability. Mr.. Fowler, of
Loudon county, is recognized as one
of the most energetic and ethciept men
of the House. Mr.. Harris, OF Wash
ington, knows why he is here aud
governs himself accordingly. 1t seems
! Mr.. Odell, the Representative for Sui
! livan, also knows the same thing
When the bill for the establishment
! of Special Courts in Bristol he said
! that the majority Of his constituents
/ tDere opposed to the nle0sUre-thdt 1t
| ,gds gotten lID ia the interest of q dOz-
en- Ldlgyers IA Bristol, one-hoLf Of tuho3a
resided in Virginia, that he would
/ not, for a moment, entertain the prop
ositi0n-that, in introducing the bill,
} he Only did so out Of courtesy to those
who made the request. So you can
see that the honorable gentleman
/ from Sullivan is determined to do
what he regards as his duty towards
his constituency.
But little apprehension is felt as to
| the enforcement of the Civil Rights
Bill. Hotels and theatres have not
been troubled, and. il is thought. viii
not. But four negroes disposed 10
avail themselves of the provisions
Va ssier. the West Point Cate', has