The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1891-02-06
STATE LEGISLATURE.

Ialr DAY WOrk III Jn0 1OrenOOHs anu
passed number of bills after listening
to the readingof number of memorials,
petitions and new bills.
Chairman Bonner, of tho special com
mittee appointed to examine the books
of the Commissioner of Agriculture,
submitted the report of his committee,
showing an excellent condition of af-
fairs in that department., and COM
mended the management on the same.
A bill on its third reading, to extend
to May 1 the time for the collection of
taxes for 1890, passed under suspen-
sion of the rules.
Among the new bills introduced was
one by Mr.. Allen to prevent the giving
or selling of cigarettes or cigarette
papers to minors.
After lively discussion over the reso-
luton to allow members of the Commit
tee to Visit Public Institutions mileage
and railroad fare, it was amended so as
to preclude those who had passes, and
was adopted.
There was spirited reminder of the
| flibustering tactics of yesterdays after
noon session for brief time when the
| House met at 2:3O o'clock today. Ralph
Davis had moved reconsideration of
the recess resolution adopted yesterday,
and seeing defeat staring him in the
face asked the privilege of withdrawing
| it.
Mr.. Lashlee and others doubted the
good faith of Davis, and insinuated that
he was simply seeking to withdraw it
now in order to renew it tomorrow, as
under the rules it would go over for a
day, and thus, by dilatory proceedings,
the recess would be defeated.
Davis declared he was acting in good
faith and would not renew the motion
either tomorrow or any other day. But
the majority seemed to doubt him, and
Mr.. Upton and several others who had
voted against recess had to vouch for
the good faith of the opposition,
The journal of yesterday was read and
| approved and at it's conclusion the re-
consideration of the recess. resolution
was tabled in the regular way by its
friends and finally disposed of.
| The House then adjourned until 10
o'clock tomorrow.
Immediately after the adjournment,
ChairmaE Upton called the joint Demo
cratic caucus together, and there was a
| full attendance. 1t soon developed into
the livelicst speech-making caucus. that
has been held in many day. The OBJ
ject of the caucus was set forth in reso-
luton offered by Mr.. Bean of Moore,
to the effect that as the Democratic.
Oh, <~f ~
and the people held it responsible for
all legislation, the legislation should
be dictated by the edict of the caucus.
Mr.. Bean made brief and forcible
speech in support of his resolution.
Mr.. Hall OF Davidson inquired if the
cdict of the caucus on a proposed bill
would be binding on the minority of the
caucus when it came to enact the law,
and was answered in the affirmative.
Senator Polk, of Maury, spoke in sup
port of the resolution, and Senator Mo
Corkle spoke earnestly against it, de-
claring that a caucus had no right to
bind the consciences of legislators.
Mr.. Mcclellan followed in opposition
to the resolution. -
Senator Morrison, of Davidson, an elo-
quent and forcible speaker, argued in
favor of the resolution. He said the
ma jority of the combined wisdom of the
party representing the people should
dictate legislation. In the course of
his speech he said there were baneful
outside influences at work in the Assem-
bly,, and he feared the will of she peo-
pie would be defeated on several inn
portant measures. He declared that
there was lobby-a powerful lobby
hanging about the halls of the Legisla-
ture and hotel rotundas like buzzards
over a dead carcass, and he, for one,
wished to discipline and steel members
against such enemies of the people.
Being asked what general legislation
he wished the caucus to act on, he men
toned House Bill 1O4, for the regula-
tion of railroad traffic, and concluded
with a strong appeal for the adoption of
the resolution.
Mr.. Story, chairman of the House Ju-
dietary Committee, opposed the resolu-
ton, and denied that any lobbyist had
approached his committee.
Allen Hall, of Davidson, opposed the
EcSO4uLlOu III one OJ bH0
speeches made in the hall this session,
and he declared that the resolution was
in conflict with the oath the members
had taken when they were sworn in.
Senator Curtis also made a strong
speech against the resolution, and so
did Mr.. Ledgerwood, of Knox.
Senator Alexander, in opposing the
resolution, vehemently denied that
lobby was at work in the Assembl v, and
said that he did not believe the mem
bers were dishonest enough to be in
fiuenced against rightful legislation by
anyone.
Senator Rivers, of Giles, asked him IL
he did not come to the capital on free
pass, and he replied, with much empha-
sis, ''No, sir; 1 did not; but / shall go
away on free pass Il one is rendered,
and want to say further that il a SO
gold piece or watch is offered me by
friend, I'll take them, and i defy any
man to say by reason of gift j can be
influenced against what is right and
honest"
Mr.. Bean concluded the speeclMnak-
ing, and on a motion to table the1resO-
luton the ayes and nays were called
out resulting: ayes, IS; nays, "a
The resolution having been defeated,
the caucus adjourned.
NAsuvuJE Ian R0 - Not n great