Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1875-02-17
OUR SAsuvILi.R LETTER.
Nnrdi 0ras n Dem.- donde DIspiRs-
Auer the County GOurts-Tbc East
Tenunssee NsyIum-touNtets To- work F!
on Public Roads.
From our Special Correspon ent.i


Ftom our Special Correspon emit.
NASHVILLE, TENN. Feb. 10, 1875.
The Mardi Gras celebration OF yes
to-day and last night attracted oOusid-
cradle attention here. The prncessiou
during the afternoon WAS ~ decided
failure, but the thrr, Ull!s which were
given at night were largely attended
aud were quite up e. the standard of
dlsgraceful license which has obtained
~ these affairs heretofore. All the
loose women Of the city were present,
attended by the class of mpu who nc-
cupy the same social level, and during
the afternoon, after the procession,
they staggered about the streets and
saloons, the former either rugged out
in very scanty skirts, or in men,
clothes. The respectable portion OF
the community have thrown cold VIA
ter upon these annual displays, from
the outset, and In this instance have
thrown every encouragement in the
way of Mardi Gras celebration,
hence the failure of the street parade.
THOSE AsYLUNs.
In the discussion which took place
in the Senate to-day over the uill pro-
~
Superintendent of the In, ane Asylum
near this city, Senator Raglaud sug-
gested that two additional asylums for
the insane have been provided by law,
aud that the question Of work being
suspended the renn was not Yet def
nitely settled. This remark may
he of interest IA East Tenuesseesus,
aud il may mean something,
M Mt xnyit he la no ha h..
House resolution providing for such
suspension has been cohcurred in by
the Senate.
COUNTY COURTS
are receiving hard hits all around Just
now, as numerous bills looking to a
complete reorganization of County
Courts on a much more economical
basis have been introduced. A very
sensible memorial on this subject
was presented this morning, of which
the following are the main points:
I'VE respectfully submit hat all
misdemeanor cases be tried before
Magistrates, from whose decision, If
appeal is taken, bond and approved
security be taken for all costs II wit
nesses are brought before the grand
jury, let the number Toe restricted, and
give to the grand jury inquisitorial
power in ali misdemeauor cases. Make
petit larceny all sums over S25 and un.
der $50; all sums of SIS and under,
misdemeanor. Enact stringent laws
on vagrancy make it misdemeanor,
punishable by fine or imprisonment
in County Wor Ihouse, cOuferring au-
thority on the County Courts to erect
such, aud to work prisoners on county
I q. A..
may direct.
The Law Court of Davidson County
cost, in 1873, 81 1913, Two terms cost,
in 1874, 81, 2S2. Abolish trial by jury
in that court.
ty cost, in 1873, So, 259; in 1874, So,
24l, 81. In all appeals to Circuit Court
let bond and approved security be
taken by the losing party to abide the
decision of that court, and to pay dam.
ages, l24 per cent, when the judgment
is confirmed. When q jury is asked
for by litigants, let the losing party be
taxed with the cost of such Jury, the
party asking it to give bond and app
proved security.
In pauper cases no appeal except by
certiorari and supersPdeas.
Consolidate the offices of Revenue
Collector and Railroad Tax Collector,
with that of County Trustee, he to per
form the duties of all, and make such
a reduction of the present percentage
as will enable the Trustee to peform
those duties, to take effect from and az
ter the expiration of the present terms
| of incumbents.
Let one-half of the number of mag
istrates constitute the County Court, Ia
be determined in each civil district by
lot, they to alternate, with pay, two
dollars per day."
An assessment bill has occupied the
attention of the House the greater part
of yesterday and to-day, the bill being
on third reading and being taken up
section by section. 1t Is quite an
| elaborate measure, and seems To cover
all the ground. One of the sections
| provides that an assessment of real es
tate shall be made but once in foul
years, which would certainly reduce
the expenses attendant u2ou u collec
| ton of taxes.
There is no doubt but the present
Legislature will establish
COUNTY woRKHoUSE SYSTEM,
from which some practical advanta.
ges will be derived. Several bills
looking to this object have already
been introduced. one of the most com
plete being that introduced by Mr.
Gibson, in the House, yesterday, which
provides that the County Courts may
declare the jails Of the counties to bt
work houses. Any misdemeanor con
victs may be bailed 10y any person
and worked, at the rate of 80 cent
per day, aud If said convict makes
his - pc, full power to recapture hin
is gi,,u to the party who balls hin
out. said convict may be made I,
work on public roads, streets, alleys
or anywhere that the superintendent
of the woTkhouse may direct, anC
may be chained, manacled or secured
in any way from making his escape
aud it shall be a misdemeanor pun
ishable by fine not exceeding $50 TO
any person to wilfully mistreat or an
hoy any Of said convicts. b.