The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1896-08-21

Called To Meet september :.
Last Friday Governor Turney is
sued proclamation, converting the
General Assembly of Tennessee in
extra session at the Capitol Septem-
Der Z. The proclamation explains
itself, and sets forth fully the reasons
for the call, We publish the call in
full as follows: =
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
Nashville, Tenn.
WHEREAS, at the extra session of the
General Assembly of 1895, an act en-
titled "An act to provide revenue for
the State of Tennessee and the counties
thereof" was passed June IA, approved
June II, 1895.
And whereas, it appears that by said
act the ad valorem tax which is collect
ed by various Trustees was reduced 3Bl4
per cent
A great many privileges were reduced
and many stricken entirely out.
The tax on railroads was reduced 3BlS
per cent.
A revenue of 100000 formerly re-
ceived from the lessees of the peniten-
tiary is gone, and it is believed that the
cost of maintaining the conyicts will
exceed the amount received from their
labor.
The estimated decrease in the amount
of revenue under the new law is $685.
600.
There was an increase in the appro-
priation by the Legislature of 1895 over
that of 1893 for judicial salaries (there
being an increase in Judges), office eX-
penses, charities, etc, of about 100000.
From these estimates it necessarily
follows that there will be a deficit in
January, 1897, and still larger one in
January, 1893 These deficiencies can
only be, cured by legislation prior to
November, 1896.
AS a part OF the plan to economic the
expenses of the State, the Legislature
at its regular session of 1895 passed an
act entitled San act to amend the GRIM
inal laws of the State" chapter 205, page
404 of acts.
That act re-defines grand and petit
larceny. the crime of fraudulently con-
cealing or aiding in the concealment of
stolen goods not exceeding $50, and pro-
vides the punishment and payment of
costs in such cases. If the law had
been sustained and enforced it would
have been saving to the State of many
thousand dollars.
The Supreme Court held said act I'M
constitutional because of defective or
insufficient title or caption.
think there can be no doubt of the
power in the Legislature to enact such
law, and suggest that its re-enactment
with proper caption or title be consid-
cred.
AS shown by the journal, it was man.
ifestly the opinion of large majority
of the Legislature, irrespective of party
There being only nine Senator'S and
thirteen Representatives voting against)
lNokf h.n &c H., L..
sufficient to meet the obligations and
pay the current expenses of the govern
ment. Many of the members of the
House explained their votes in favor
of the bill, and, among other things,
said: "We believe that the new assess
ment law will result in the increased
valuation of property, thus affording an
urgent additional reason for reduction
in the rate of taxation. For these
reasons we vote aye"
At the time there was good founda-
ton for such opinions, but subsequent
events brought disappointment.
Instead of an increased valuation of
property, there has been general de-
probation, not only in Tennessee, but
throughout the Union.
The depreciation in Tennessee is
large, thus disappointing the reasonably
well-founded opinions of legislators.
Now, therefore, l, Peter Turney, Gov
ernor, by virtue of the power and au-
thority in me vested by section 8, ar
ticle 3, of the Constitution, do, by this
proclamation, convene the General AS
sembly in extraordinary session at the
Capitol at Nashville on Monday, Sep
TENDER Z, 1896, at the hour of II m, and,
when assembled, it will take under
consideration and enter upon the fol-
lowing business, to-wit:
To enact all legislation, either indie
pendent or amendatory, that it may
deem necessary to provide sufficient
assessment of property and privileges,
the increase of privileges and such
other assessments as may be legitimate
and proper to take care of the credit of
the State and meet its Indebtedness and
expenses.
A re-enactment of chapter 2O5 of the
acts of 1895, under proper caption.
And to provide for the payment of the
expenses OF the extra session.
In testimony whereof have caused
the great seal of the State to be hereto
affixed, Aug. IA, 1896.
P. TURNEY, Governor
BY the Governor:
VIM. S. MORGAN, Secy. of State.
The Governor has also called a
special election to be held on the
3lst of this month, to fill the vacan-
cies in the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives in the Forty-ninth Gen
eral Assembly, to be assembled in
extraordinary session on September
Z, next. The vacancies are for Rep
resentative in the county of Lauder
dale, caused by the resignation of
r. A. Williams; in the Fourteenth
Senatorial District, composed of the
counties of Macon, Sumner and
Trousdale, caused by the death of
Hon. A. B. Newson, and also in the
Twenty-second Senatorial District,
composed of the counties of Giles,
Lawrence and Wavne caused nv