Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-12-19
NASHVILLE LETTER.

called to order promptly at II O'Clock
m, yesterday, by their respective
speakers The twenty-five members
Of the senate all answered to their
names when the roll was called. In
the house eleven members failed to
respond, besides Mr.. Roosa of Shelby,
who died Of yellow fever. The most
OF the absentees, however, put in an
appearance to-day. The Governorsent
in his message as soon as officially no.
titled that the legislature was organ
lied. 1t set forth the condition of
Memphis as the principal reason for
the extra session called, and alluded
also to the other subjects embraced in
the call. The Memphis bill providing for
a two per cent. tax to be collected,
one per cent. Of it in February and the
other one per cent. in December next
was introduced simultaneously in both
houses. 1t passed second reading
to-day in the senate, but was not read
in the house, as it is the opinion of
leading members that it is not strictly
constitutional, although sometimes
done to advance a bill in both houses
at the same time merely to hasten its
passage. The appropriation bill to
defray the expenses of the extra ses.
sion was introduced in the senate yes
terday and in the house to-day. There
is no doubt about the final passage of
this bill.
Mr.. League introduced resolutions
of respect to memory of the late
Honorable james ROosa. These will
be called up tomorrow, when brief
addresses eulogistic of the deceased
are expected from the Shelby county
members and others.
A bill was introduced yes terday
which, il passed, insures the early
completion of the Memphis and Pa
ducah railroad, through the agency Of
an English capitalist who has taken
the matter in hand. II the bill fails
to pass the railroad will have to be
sold again by the order Of the U. S.
circuit court, the gap will not be
filled up for eighteen months or two
years, and the counties, towns and
individuals who took stock in the road
will not get dollar. In this view Of
the case, it is important to Memphis
aud the country along the line for the
bill to pass A select committee Of
nine appointed in the hsuse to-day to
investigate the subject, after giving o
patient hearing to Col. Josiah Patter
son, Of Memphis, on the merits of the
bill, decided unanimously to recon-
mend it for passage, 1t will probably
become a law.
The Memphis bill attracts more at
tion than all other matters before the
legislature. The members generally
are disposed to defer to the judgment
and wishes of the Shelby delegation.
The fact that we do not ask
for any State aid, but only the
authority of the State to tax ourselves
makes a very favorable impression.
Shelby is very quiet and seems to be
solid. Representative Smith is anx-
ious to get the ninth and tenth wards
out Of the city, especially the tenth,
which is Republican. lie lives in the
tenth, and states that if his bill passes
Chelsea will organize separate mu-
nicipal government, and that South
Memphis will obtain a charter and
take a new start in the world under
the name of Fort Pickering. In view
Of such contingency, l now nomi-
nate the honorable member from the
tenth ward for mayor of Fort Picker
ing. The prospect Of the passage of
such bill lis thing no fellow can
find out" The members have not
committed themselves publicly. 1t is
possible that clause will be offered
as an amendment to the Memphis bill
providing that one half or two thirds
of the revenue collected in the wards
named, shall be expended within the
same territory. One objection to this
is that it would become a precedent
which might make trouble in other
wards, where the citizens would claim |
that they ought to be treated as well
While there is movement on foot to
REQ nee the limits of Memphis, there
is a bill before the senate, providing
that Edgefeld, with its $1,000 inhabi-
tauts, aud some other suburban terri
tory, shall be added to Nashville |
There are two or three sides to the
question. and we hear it warmly dis
cussed on every street corner, The
idea seems to bc to get ready for big |
81 owing at the next censUs, to be
taken next June by the government.
The body-suatching bill introduced |
in the senate creates opposition in its
present shape from an unexpected |
source. The medical colleges here
say through their faculties that it will |