Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1875-04-01
DOINGS OF THE LEGISLA.
urr TURE.
What the Nashville Banner
says about that Honorable
body.

The Thirty-ni.th General Assembly OF
Tennesse adjourned yesterday. after being
in session seventy>fve days. If the work
accomplished during that time will not
find favor in all quarters, it can at least
be said that it will come up to average
expectation, since more. sources of revenue
were brought into play, with less expense
to be incurred in running the State Gov.
eminent. These two points, standing out
inl bold relief, will contribute not a little
ia CLOSING over minor sins of omission or
commission.
During the session there were 562 bills
introduced in the House, and $50 in the
Senate, making a total of S5l. Out of
this large batch, l43 were passed into
laws. la addition to this, there were II
rss9Wiops adopted. Although the
BANNER, IS the official newspaper desig-
mated by the State Government, has al
ready published nearly. all the laws in
full, for the convenience of the general
public who do not care to wade through
long enactments, we present a review
a sort CT running Su%mmary-of the prin-
cipal acts Of the session, giving the go.by
to measures solely of local interest. First
in importance, perhaps, in that it will
bring in a snug annual revenue to the
State, is the law taxing railroads. In its
original form, it provided for the ordina-
ry 40 cent tax on all railroad property,
but was changed 10 the basis where it
now stands, ofimposing a tax of II per
cent, on the gross earnings of railroads.
1t is estimated that this tax will bring
an annual revenue toShe State of from
$4,000 to $135,0OO. Tae act regu-
lating trial by jury in civil cases is one of
considerable Importance, as it is estima>
ted it will save to the State a matter of
. 100000. a year, or thereabouts. The
main feature is that in the trial of civil
cases il shall be optional with the parties
tothe suit to have a jury or not, as the
SURF Jundings and necessities of the case
may suggest ; and upon motion of either
party. and for reasons satisfactory to the
court, any cause may be transferred from
atjurys to a non,jury docket. A law of
twin interest is that taxing losing liti.
ganfs with the costs in civil cases, which
was passed over.the Governors veto. 1t
will, according ia a very reasonable esti,
nation, save the State from $4,000 tc
100000 a year.
One Of the most important measure.
passed through the body is that embody
ng a number of amendments to the Con,
'sitution, which may be briefly stated a,
follows: The Governor to hold his office
flor foul. years judges of the Supreme
Court, twelve; Comptroller and Treasur,
er four years; General Assembly to
convene every four years; the clause
exemping one thousand dollars worth of
property in the hands of each taxpayer
is Stricken out; the clause prohibiting
the State from owning a State bank is
stricken out all Judges to be elected by
the Legislature the Legislature to have
the power to create courts with both CON-
mon law and chancery jurisdiction, and
to have power to authorize misdemoanors
in civil causes to be tried by a jury of
less than twelve; poll tax qualification
stricken out Judges of the Supreme
Court to be reduced to three, as under
the old Constitution the Legislature to
have power to pass fence, road and other
local laws, and make them operative nj
such counties Us choose to adopt them /;
striking out the prohibition in the Consti>
tuition against ~clergymen serving in the
Legislature authorizing manufacturing
establishments to be exempt from taxation
for q period not exceeding six years au,
thorizing future Legislatures to submit
constitutional amendments directly to the
people; authorizing the Legislature, in lie.
considering bills vetoed by the Governor,
to SO amend the bill as to obviate his OBJ.
j%ections. 1t may be stated that this meas.
ure has to be passed by two-thirds' Mas
jority of the next Legislature, and Their
be submitted to a popular vote.
The law to more cheaply collect the
revenue, but abolishing the office of Rev.
nue. Collector, it is estimated by the
author of the measure, Mr.. Gibson, will
save the State 100000 annually. The
law reducing the members of Quarterly
Courts orehalf will make a difference in
the States favor of about $4,000 a veal
while the law providing for county work,