The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-21
THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
The Release OF the Penitentiary occu-
pies the Attention of the House.

pies the Attention of the House.
Special Dispatch to The Appeal.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, March 20.-Mr.
Crews introduced bill in the Senate this
morning to convey in trust to the Ladies'
Hermitage Association twenty-five acres
Of the Hermitage tract, upon which are To-
Gated the Mansion House and tomb OF
Gen. Jackson. Nine trustees are TO have
charge of II. The object is TO permit and
encourage the Association to improve and
beautify the mansion and other houses
and the tomb, as we'll as the twenty-five
acres, as they deem best
Mr. William Wilson introduced bill TO
amend the charter Of gas companies so rs
to allow them TO acquire by consolidation
or purchase possession Of other gas compa-
MES.
Mr.. Pyott introduced bill TO provide
for the safety, ventilation and sanitary con-
dilion OF mines, the protection Of human
life in mines. tunnels aud quarries.
The bill to allow married women to pros
ecute and defend suits failed.
The House bill to allow the prochein
ami 10 sue in forma pauperis passed.
After the passage OF this bill Mr.. Sparks
arose and said: 'Mr. Speaker, rs chair
man OF the Penitentiary Committee.
have made several desperate efforts TO have
u meeting Of this committee, Ms had in
my hands several important bills relating
to the penitcntiary. A last, on yesterday
evening, | got meeting OF the committee
aboCt onc-hali OF the committee attending
| I.f luI NRuu asIa Il hrs-
Of importance one-thrd OF those present
had lett upon one pretext or another. Mr.
Speaker, rs | do not want TO be response
bic for legislationgotten up in this manner,
believing rs do that this important legis.
lation about the peni,entiary should be
carefully considered by all the committee.
which II seems is impossible, | now oiIer
you my resignation us chairman OF .he
Penitentiary Committee. | do this, Mr..
| Speaker, with no malice or defiance Of the
opinions OF my brother Senator'S because |
love them all, but they will not come 10
any meeting OF the Committee on Peni-
Tertiary. do not know, Mr.. Speaker,
whether am right or wrong but think il
my duty 10 do this.
The Speaker did not accept the rcsigna-
ton, but urged upon the committee the
necessity OF meeting.
Mr.. McDowcl's bill TO enable courts to
preserve property pending appeal failed.
The mechanics lien law came up on the
House calendar today, with amendments,
which were concurred In.
Quite number Of local bills passed
third reading, and rs many were rejected.
The calendar was completed and the SEN
ate adjourned.
Mr.. ManhalPs bin providing for the re-
| I.aa. - fln vautfaufturu .rl,t.I ,,.,.s L.
special order for II clock, was taken up
aud considered.
Mr.. Marshall explained the provisions
OF the bill and gave brief history OF the
former leases. lie spoke earnestly In al.
yocacy OF lease system.
The bill was then taken up section by
section and acted upon.
Mr.. Mccall, OF Henderson, moved TO
strike out all OF the first section, which
provides for the release Of the pcniien.
tiary.
Mr.. Palmer moved to lay the amend.
ment on the table.
Mr.. Mccall spoke in favor Of his amend.
mcnt and said that both political parties
had pledged themselves in opposition To-
the lease system. IL would be better TO
tear down the pcniicniiary than 10 coniine
convcts In such cells as described in the
minority report Of the Pcnitcntiary Com
mittcc. lie knew of no Stats where con.
yicts were 80 inhumanly treated. When
pressed 10 answer the question what the
Republicans wanted 90 do with the con-
yicts he said that the Republican party
was powcrless 20 do anything. but they
could compel the Democrats, who were ia
a majority, TO show the people Of the State
how badly the conyicis wcrp treated. AZ
20 cents per day these poor unfortunate
fellows were compelled TO work upon tasks,
aud being poorly fed, II they fail TO com.
plcte the task the lash Is applied 10 their
barr skins.
The gentleman, having occupied his full
time, was called 10 point Of order by Mr.
Dismukcs.
Mr.. Davis moved that the gcntlcman's
time be extended, upon which motion tho
yeas and nays were called-yeas 90, nays
10.
Mr.. Mccall proceeded with his remarks
and said that honest, free men living nj
Tracy City and other portions Of the State.
who we're compelled to work In the min
ing business, we've driven from their occu.
patton by the State OF Tennessee hiring
out her fclons at 20 cents per day. Not
only this. but conyicts were engaged In
making wagons NJ such low rate that II
deprived honest free labor Of II. occupation
In this respect.
Before Mr.. Mccall concluded his 10.
marks the House adjourned until $50
o'clock pm.
when Mr.. Mccall had finished speak.
! ing, Mr.. Palmer, Of Rutherford, and
Judge Williams, OF Franklin. spoke, taking
issue with Mr.. Mccall, aud In strong
speeches favored a release OF the pcniten-
tiary. The discussion will consume sew
cral days