Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-12
TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE.
REKATT-

SENATE
THURSDAY, Feb. 1.-THE Speaker call
e the Senate to order at 10 o'clock. All
present.
RESOLUTION.
By Mr. Hodges-Whereas, the financial
condition Of the State indicates that it is
necessary to make available any proper
source Of revenue; and
Whereas, there is by the laws Of the
State no method or way provided whereby
the values Of property as assessed for taxa
ton may be equalized between the cOun-
ties Of the State, the subject being entirely
under the control Of the disconnected and
uncOmpared opinions of assessors, without
any power to supervise their action or cor
rect their errors; and
Whereas, it is evident that, under this
system, much property escapes taxation and
much is assessed below its value; therefore
Resolved, that a committee of three from
the Senate and - from the House be ap-
pointed to take the subject under consider
alton and report by bill or otherwise.
The resolution was adopted.
NEW BILLS.
By Mr.. Marchbanks-To authorize the
printing Of 10000 copies Of Killebrew's
"ResOunces Of Tennessee
By Mr.. Buchanan-For the benefit of A.
c.. Noryell, of Davidson county.
oUs BILLS on THIRD BEADING.
To change the terms Of the Supreme
Court, and provide a Court Of Arbitration
for West Tennessee. Referred to the Ju-
dietary Committee, with instructions to
perfect and report back tomorrow.
To repeal sections 246, 1881 and 1892 of
the Code, and sectian ], chapter III Of the
acts Of 1S59-60. Passed.
Mr.. Polk moYedA reconsideration of the
vote, which motion prevailed, and the
aapiHiOn haEiug been expressed BY Messrs.
Logan, Alden and Quarles that the bill was
unconstitntional, it was recommitled.
HOUSE BILL ON FIRST READING.
To-extend the jurisdiction of justices Of
the Peace to $1,000. Passed.
SENATE Bills ON THIRD HEADING.
To provide for the publication Of the
laws passed by the General Assembly, and
the opinions of the Supreme Court.
Mr.. Logan opposed the bill. It would
involve an immense cost to the people, and
for no good. The Attorney General was
required by law to publish the opinions Of
the Supreme Court but he had wholly
failed to discharge his duty in this particu-
lar. With a knowledge of this and in vio-
latiOn Of law, the Comptroller had never
theless paid him his salary.
Mr.. Marye said it was his unpleasant
duty to endorse every word said by Mr..
Logan in regard to the alleged derelictiOn
Of the Attorney General and State Reporter.
He had for three years violated the spirit
and letter Of the law, but he had during
that time drawn his munificent salary with
regularity. He had the highest regard for
the Attorney General, who was a gentle
man Of unquestiOned honor and legal
ability, and was his personal friend, but
this was a matter Of public interest, and
he would discharge his duty, though a
painful one. Unless the decisions Of the
Supreme Court were promptly reported,
many causes went mp TO that court and
clOgged the docket which would never be
appealed if the bar throughout the State
were properly advertised of what had been
decided.
Mr.. Hodges also opposed the bill. He
read from the COmptrOller's report 10 show
the Attorney General and Reporter had
been paid his salary, and in this connection
said that nearly $4,000 had been paid for
attorneys fees, as was shown by the Comp
t~roller's report. he knew of no authority
given by act of the General Assembly, to
authorize such an expenditure.
MI. Quarles favored the bill, saying it
was Of great interest to the people at the
earliest time to know the decisions Of the
Supreme Court. If the facts existed in re-
gard to the Attorney General and State
Reporter, as Senators had stated, he was
opposed to his having anything further to
do with the subject; but be was also Op-
posed to giving attention to public rumOr.
The better plan, it occurred Il him, was to
raise a committee to inquire into the
charges which had been made.
Amendments were adopted, letting out
such publications to the lowest bidder, and
providing that the Committee on Public
Printing advertise for bids, af er which the
bill was rejected: Ayes IL, noes II.
TRIALS BY JURY IN CIVIL CASES.
House bill to regulate trials by jury in
civil cases, was taken up as the special or
der and passed on its third reading.
SENATE BILLS on THIRD READING.
To authorize parties 10 sever in criminal
causes. Passed.
The Senate here took a recess until 5
o'clock.
Afternoon Session.
LAC NoL1NACl dl4UA VI DCAdlC DAAln VI
third reading was resumed.
To regulate the elective franchise.
Passed.
To change the time Of holding courts in
Cumberland and Morgan counties. Passed.
To compensate jurors and justices Of the
peace. Passed.
To preserve birds, game and animals.
Rejected by q tie yote-12to y.
SENATE BILLS ON SECOND READING.
To amend section 29SO of the Code. Re-
jected.
To amend the charter of the town Of
Milan. Rejected.
TIE INSANE ASYLUM.
Mr.. Boyd made q report on the accounts
of officers Of the Insane Asylum, and offer
ed a resolution to print the same.
At 5 o'clock the Senate adjourned until
o'clock tomorrow.