The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-29
LEGISLATIVE.
The Registration Bill Passes
In the State Senate By u Strict
Party Vote of az to 7.
Only One Amendment of Any I'M
portance Agreed to.
The Dortch Election Bill Also
Comes Up, But Action
On 1t is Postponed Until Tuesday Next
Republicans Strongly Opposed to
Electoral Reform-The Amended
Secuon-Other Bills.

Special Dispatch to The Appeal.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, March 2S.-But little
interest was taken in the earlier business OF
tho Senate this morning, as the Myers and
Dortch elec ton bills were set as a special
order for 10 o'clock. Some time was de.
voted, however, TO speeches in memory Of
Congressman Neal, who died recently at
Rhca Springs.
On motion Of Mr.. Berry, the Senate recon
sidcrcl its action in passing the bill to make
railroads protect bills Of lading, aud 1t was
recommittcd.
The Myers registration bill was then taken
up. The readers OF TE APPEAL are ac-
quaintcd with It's provisions The only
amendment of importance that was made
changed the number Of voters in districts TO
which the bill shall apply To 500.
Mr.. Pyott wanted TO amend 40 that II a
voter lost his certificate he could be denti-
fled and vote anyhow, but the Senate could
not see IL that way.
Mr.. Crews said any Republican desiring a
pure election could support tins bill. II
they had no such desires he hoped they
would vote against H.
An amendment 20 close registration books
ten days before election instead of twenty
was also rejected. The bill then passed by u
strict party vote Of - to :.
The ID rtch election hill was taken up
| The provisions of the bill have been given
In THE ArrEAI, embracing the Australian
system in a modified form. The bill read
that Il shall be applicable 10 towns, cities
and civil districts.
Mr.. Dortch moved 20 amend by inserting
IN lieu that counties having voting popu'
laiion Of over 1O,OoO and cities Of over 1900.
| Adopted. The sixteenth section as amended;
| Bc itiurthcr enacted. That any voter who de
rarcs % the officer holding the election that by
/ reason of hlindncss, or other physical disability,
he II unable to marx his ballot shall upon request
| receive the assi,iaucc Of the officer holding the
| election. IN the marking thereof, and such oiirci
shall crrtliy on the outside that it was ~ marked
with his assistance. aud shall give no Information
| In rgnri 10 the same.
This caused a great deal Of discussion {
number OF Senators holding that this section
Il enacted would make an educational quail
| iiiCntion.
Mr.. Pyott moved 20 ammcnd By adding tC
the excepted persons all persons who cannot
read or write.
Mr.. Dortch made a strong cpccch against
this amendment saying IL would destroy
the purpose of the bill. which was TO scCur,
~ FAR M possible a secret ballot
Mr.. Pyott spoke for his amendment say
ing iliiicmtc voters would be disimn'hiscd
lie thought the educational qualification
would be unconstitutional
Mr.. Cobb. made a speech for the amend
mcnt lie was "a Democrat but would ncNc
vote for measure that would Ia any way
dhsfrunchisc any class OF voters.
Mr. Mycr- opposed the amendment an,
| pointed out the merits ~ the bill
Speaker lea called NJ. Berry 90 the chat
/ uuI Lat hfNuarll uWf lu "A lUFTlNlV anupfh Ia
favor of the bill. He said the law wa
needed to secure the purity OF the ballot
box Money was eXorting too great an In
nucncc in our elections. Negroes wer
openly bought and voted, and a stop mus
be- put to it The only way 10 secure th
purity of elections was 10 make the ballo
secret.
The senate then adjourned for dinner
and on rcasscmhling several senators wcn
absent The bill would not have had th
necessary vote, M further action was post
poncd until Tuesday next
Mr. Odlum's bill allowing safe deposl
companies to guarantee payment Of obliga
tions was not understood, and failed 10
want of constitutional majority.
The Tennessee Industrial school bill va
PASSED. II approprntcs sAup1 for imprOy,
ments and 80 per head Tor inmates.
! Mr. stones bill providing lor the inspc,
ton Of tobacco aud prohibiting warehouse
, men from buying aud selling was passed.
I Adjourned.
! ~ TnE HOUSE,
After the reading of the Journal Mr.. %
lum moved to make the assessment law III
special order for tomorrow at 10 o'clock a.iI
: Carried.
Thc unfinished business, being the consiD
7 | erntion of Mr. Sayngr's oil TO regulate COu
! I L.. a. -