The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1899-04-07
MONDAYS PROCEEDINGS.

Nashville, April 3.-The Senate
passed the uniform text book bill
to- day. 1t was hard fight and
the friends of the measure have
cause to congratulate themselves on
the skillful management of the con-
test. When the session opened it
looked rather blue for the bill, but
as the fight progressed the various
objections urged by the opposition
were met and successfully COM
batted. Every movement known to
parliamentary tactics was emploved
to defeat the measure. 1t was first
sought to delay consideration until
Friday, and failing in this, the oppo-
sition tried so postpone action until
Wednesday. This motion was lost
by tie vote and the bill was taken
up. 1t was then that the fight be-
gan, and the bill was bombarded
with amendments from all sides,
most of which would have virtually
destroyed it. Senator Eldridge led
the opposition with Messrs. Cole,
Gilmore and Butler as lieutenants.
Mr.. Seay looked after the interests
of the bill. He was assisted by
Senators Chambliss, II. L. Thomp-
son, Hobbs and Chambers. The
opposition were gradually wasting
their efforts without any material
gain, and when the Senate reassem-
bled after the dinner recess 1t was
seen that they were exhausted. The
| bill was considered section by Sec
tion and had easy sailing from that
time on. The last stand was made
on the amendment to exempt cities
of over 10000 population. The
friends of the bill did not make a
vigorous fight on it, and it would
doubtless have been adopted had
not the opposition, in the hope of
winning Mr.. Meeks, the author of
the amendment, over to their side,
voted solidly against it. The defeat
of the amendment did not have the
desired effect, however, for Mr..
Meeks went on record in favor of the
bill.
Gov. McMillin sent to the Assem-.
bly, message recommending the
adoption of laws to insure to the chit
dren of the State, and those engaged
in education, text books at a more
reasonable cost.
The House spent most of the day
discussing the bill to abolish the
Court of Chancery Appeals. The
bill was finally rejected, not receiv-
ing constitutional majority.
The Assessment Bill.
The assessment bill was intro.
duced in both houses. 1t define:
the duties of assessors and make:
them liable on their bonds for fail
ure to perform their duties, the
penalty to be recovered by revenue
agent or district attorney general
They are required to assess al
property at its actual cash value.
The Governor, Secretary of State
! aud Treasurer are constituted q
State Board of Equalizers to equal
iZe all assessments, to establish rules
: and regulations for county boards to
be followed in equaliZing property
The duties of these county boards
, are clearly set forth, these being
greatly enlarged.
3 1t provides that on March l th'
, delinquent poll lists shall be turned
, over to a deputy trustee or cOnsta
7, BILE, bonded, to collect the same anC
make final settlement by July
/ Credit is to be given only for errors
double or illegal assessments anC
such polls as it is shown could no
be collected by law and diligen
: effort.
: The Comptroller Is to appoint fou
. revenue agents, whose duties ant
powers are enlarged. The sam'
compensation as now is 20 be paid
2 and they are required to visit an,
e investigate the books and account
a of all State institutions when di
!, rected by the Comptroller.
The penalty for delinquency is en-
= llarged. Taxes are due Nov. an,
Delinquent March l, After addipl