The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-13
TENNESSEE SOLONS
 HAVE BEEN ACTIVE
Nashville Charter Bill Has
 Led in Interest
NO PARDONs ISSUED
Gov. Hooper Is Not Paying Much Attention to Pardon Petitions and Will Not Except
 in Rare Cases

Nashville, February 12.-(Special.) )--Much activity in legislation marked the ses- sions of the Tennessee legislature dur ing the past week, chief among measures considered being the Confederate pen sion bill, which passed both houses; the Nashville charter amendment bill, and a state banking bill. The old soldiers and their widows were given an increase in bounties, s52O.OoO going to the former and s21o,oOO to the latter. The Nashville char ter bill failed through constitutional quorum in the house after passing the senate, while the general banking bill is still up for consideration.
 Chief interest centered in the con- test over the proposed change in the Nashville charter, the measure growing out of differences between Mayor Howse and the board of public works and be- ing designed to give the mayor greatly increased and in fact decidedly autocratic powers without the restrictions provided by a commission form of government. The fight centered along partisan lines and although the local delegation in both houses which is comprised of regular democrats entirely, favored the measure, it finally failed by one vote through the intentional absence of a few members. A motion to reconsider may again bring the matter up with a different result Mon day or Tuesday. Fusion interests fought the measure largely on the grounds that it was the personal bill of mayor. whose administration has been marked by com- plete ignoring of the statewide prohibit tion laws.
 General Banking Bill
 The proposed general banking bill pro- vides for the regulation, examination and supervision of state banks and would pre- vent them from loaning money on their own stocks and also from loaning any one individual more than 10 per cent of the capital and surplus. It is also pro- vided that one bank shall not own stock in another and that money reserve shall always be on hand for the protec- ton of patrons.
 The refunding of the state debt will duuDtless soon be up for the consideration of the general assembly. The state debt, which amounts to about s11 ,000.0 900. will fall due in 1913 and there is considerable speculation as to just how the matter will be treated. Recently the state bond holders were sounded as to the possible extension of the present 31a per cent bonds for 20 years. but the idea did not meet with their approval. The matter will likely be referred to the state fund ing board, consisting of the governor, the comptroller and the treasurer, two of them being republicans. Some appear to favor the selection of a special com mission to consider the matter during the interim between the present and subse- quent legislatures.
 Not Pardon Issued
 A somewhat significant fact is to be noted in that since Governor Ben w. Hooper took his seat as governor not a single pardon has been issued, and as far as known not one has even reached him. This situation is partly due, no doubt to the governors positive an nouncement that pardons would be very scarce hereafter and partly to the fact that the exercise of clemency by Governor Patterson thinned out the bulk of peti- tioners. In addition the governor has pro- vided that none but cases with strong grounds shall reach him and so far no petition has gotten further than his sec retary.
 In case the Nashville charter bill Is again called up and passed, in all likeli- hood it will be eventually defeated, as 1t is known that the governor will veto it, in which case it would seem likely that the few republican supporting the meas ure would not again vote for 1t over his veto.
 Tt Is understood that one of the first acts of Governor Hooper this week will be the presentation of the name of Prof. G. A. Dyer for state superintendent or education. It. is known that there will be hot fight over his corfirmation. as he was very active as fusion orator during the judiciary and gubernatorial contests and is very obiectionable to the regular democrats. Professor Dyer is a member of the Vanderbilt faculty.
 The legislative recess will begin next Saturday, the 18th. and will continue un- til Monday, March 27.