Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-17
TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE.
RENATE.

=
TUESDAY, March l6.--The Speaker
called the Senate to order at 10 A. M all
the members present. s-
BACK-TAX COLLECTORS.
Mr.. Quarles offered joint resolution au-
tbOrizing bsck-tax collectors, as county
agents for the collection Of over due taxes,
to pay their expense account and liabilities
incurred in the discharge Of their duties
and TO bring suit for the same. Laid
over.
CLAM OF P. c. BETHEL AND OTHEBs.
Senate joint resolution for the relief Of z.
G. Bethel, r. G. Binkley, Z. w. Munford,
and other citizens Of Memphis, was reject
ed-ayes &, noes u. Mr.. OYeTtOn was ex-
cused from voting.
RAILROAD TAXATION.
Senate bill declaring the mode and man
ner of yaluing the property OF railroad
company for taxation was taken up on
third reading.
Mr.. Jones moved to strike out acapital
stock wherever it occurred.
Mr.. Wade argued at length against the
motion TO strike out, the effect Of which
was to exempt capital stock from any taxa
tiOn whatever.
Mr.. Quarles offered the following: 'PrO-
vided, that railroad companies shall have
the OItion Of paying one per cent. of their
gross earnings in lieu Of all other taxes and
the funds arising.n Rejected.
Mr.. Alden moved to amend by inserting
at the end of last line of sixth section:
provided, that upon the happening Of the
contingency provided fora second set Of
commissioners, by appointment by the
GOvernOr-the first set so falling to dis
charge their duties shall not receive any
per diem for services rendered. Adopted.
Mr.. QUarles spoke in opposition TO the
bill. He said: Exemptions in charters
are binding on the State; the exemption Of
capital stock or property exempts the share
holders; to tax the property and also the
shareholders is double taxation, and,
therefore, void. Exemption Of the
capital stock has been held to ex-
empt the property of the company
to an amount necessary to carry on its bus
mess; the only just basis Of taxation IS
one based upon profits, and, as the railroads
have offered fair and just basis, we had
better 60 slowly in this matter.
Mr.. Hodges had only to say that the bill
had been drafted in strict accord with the
recent decision Of the Supreme Court.
Mr.. Marchbanks could not favor taxing
railroads out of existence. Doing so would
be suicidal policy.
Mr.. Logan moved the previous question,
which was seconded, and the bill was then
passed by a vote of 10 ayes TO 3 noes
Messls. Merchants, Marye and Quarles
voting in the negative.
The Senate took a recess until 2:S0 P. n.
Afternoon Session.
Senate Joint resolution to appoint COM
missiOners to report to the next General
Assembly a plan to make more secure the
passage Of drawbridges over the Tennessee
river by steamboats,, was adopted.
STATE REVENUE.
Senate Joint resolution for the appoint
ment Of a Joint committee to take into
consideration all bills and resolutions on
the subject of raising revenue, with in
structions to report by Thursday, was
adopted, as was also Senate joint resolu-
ton to adjourn on Wednesday, March "A,
at II NJ.
HOUSE BILLS ON THIRD READING.
For the benefit of the Tennessee School
for the Blind. Passed.
To protect wool growing by a tax OF
dogs. Recommitted.
To establish a new court for Madison
county. The vote by which the bill passed
was recOnsidered, after which the bill was
amended and passed its third reading.
To regulate the sale Of joint crops.
Passed.
SENATE BILLS ON THIRD READING.
To create the Seventeenth Judicial Cir
cult. Passed.
To defray the current expenses Of tie
seth General Assembly. Passed.
The Senate adjourned to 10 A. N. to
morrow.