The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1849-10-12

recommend, that the Bank be either discon-
linued or disencumbered. Either policy is
decidedly preferable TO the present. Either
would be safe 10 the best interests Of the
State, while the present is destined, IN my
! judgment. to be disastrous.
The subject Of Common Schools, will, OF
course, engage your cOnsIderate attention.
| II is evident to every one that the present
system is far from being satisfactory TO the
people. And in many places. either from
its defects. or from improper management,
| il has become odIous. Doubtless many
improvements could be made on the press
emf plan, without reference TO the increase
| fund, by which the administration Of the
whole could be rendered more easy and
certain. But it is an Increase OF the fund
which is most desired, and without which
no innovation or improvement would be oil
any great prsctrcal utility. But how is this
| to be attained? Upon this subject there is
variety of opinions. think our present
revenue system will be found 10 furnish a
surplus over and above the ordinary wants
OF The Stale, and prb9bIy beyond all con-
tingencies. II so, Acould it be better
applied, than TO G. SchoOI puEposes7
a. i~'' "TI Eno. 70 of e nj
| it, but by taxation. tins should
/ Dc .eSJtrd ~ In ,rir7" 9cn - you, who-Tep"
resent the immediate interests and wishes
of the people, will determine. beg leave,
however, to stale. that do not believe a
system Of direct taxes eXpedlenr or proper.
Some counties are unable 10 bear additional
burdens-while others are indisposed TO do
so. And experience has shown that vol
unrary tax is much more conducive 10 the
success OF Common Schools, than one 10
be enforced by general law OF the Stale.
BY voluntary tax, mean, TO confer, by
la ", the power upon The county courts OF
the different counties, 10 levy an amount
within certain hunts, for Common School
purposes provided. that before such tax
can he laid. the voice of the voters Of the
county shall be taken, and the exercise Of
the power be under the conlro! OF pppu-
lar ma orrry. Aud whatever sun may be
raised IN this way, will be added To- the pro-
portion Of the State fund annually received
by the county, and expended for school
purposes within the county. In this way
each county will control the matter for il
sell, and the people will or will not tax
themselves, as they please. think tins
plan IS practicable, and SO far as have
been able to perceive, II will be acceptable
TO the people. Something ought TO be done
to advance a subject Of so much impor-
lance. We owe il TO the character Of the
Stale, and we owe it as an act o. justice to
The children Of the Stale. need not en-
large on the inestimabIe benefits oil a gem
era and diiiusive system Of education. 1t
lies al the foundation of our form OF gov
ernment-givIng strength both TO the bal
lot box aud 10 the cartridge boX-and far
nlShIng guarantees Tor the maintenance oil
law and order not to be found in pains and
penalties. And from it we are TO expect
The origin and support OF all great enter
prses. that lend 10 develope our country
and elevate our people. | sincerely trust
YOU ay find II in your power at the prea>
ent session 10 advance this great cause, so
that every child IN the Slate. within the
scholastic ages, may be epabled to learn the
elements OF education Tree Of expense.
The subject of Internal improvement is
one which is exciting more interes al pres.
ent, than any perhaps which will enter in
to your deliberations. And it is gratifying
TO witness the spirit which now pervades
the different sections Of the Srlte with re-.
card 10 it. The Nashville and Chattoonaga
railroad aud The East Tennessee and Geor>
gla railroad are in a slate Of vigorous pro
gress. and furnish assurances Of their com
pletlon at no distant day. Much interest is
also felt in Upper East Tennessee, in favor
Of a road from Knoxville 10 the Vir.
alnIa line, chartered al your last session. -
These enterprises are all rendered more i'm
porant by the policy the State o. Vlr-
grnIa, which promises the construction VI
a route from the Tennessee lie To Lynch
burg, thus presenting the prospect OF line
OF railroad, almost unbroken, from Nash
VI lie 10 the Eastern Atlantic. While, by
the enlightened policy and liberal enters
prise Of the people and State OF Georgia,
a continuous line is opening to us, TO the
Southern Atlantic. The vast advantages
presented by these works. appeal to your
enlightened policy for all the AID in your
TO bstow. 10 ensure then completion. AL
though the State deti is now considerable,
vet It is not such in my opinion, consider
ing the amount OF our means, as To deter
us from stI further appropriations Of the
public credit ia aid Of specific objects. !
say in aid Of specific objects, for | hope
cy of the ac' If 1878 rpsorted TO by the
State. Such policy, if persevercd in,
would bankrupt any Stale in the world
The tendency was 10 construct any and
every sort Of road, without reference to lis
importance or value. The Upper lGast
Tennessee ronte, viewed both in its local
bearing upon the Interests Of that section OF
the State. and as part Of the great chain
connecting US with the Eastern Atlantic,
becomes an enterprise of the highest val
ne. Indeed, it is Indispensable, and have
no hesitation IN recommending II as de.
serving liberal patronage at The hands Of
the State. How much may be needed re-
mains to be seen; and how much should
be granted, you will determine. |, s not
TO be expected that private enterprise alone
can build the road-it is work Of too
much magnitude. The advantages OF this
branch Of improvement 10 Fast Tennessee
are apparent No man can contemplate
her condition and naturtl resources, with,
out being impressed with it. But these
works, though directly connected with
East and portion OF Middle Tennessee,
are important to The whole Stale. They
form the basis Of other and similar enters
prises already in agitation, and destined al
no distant day, trust, TO be carried out
Looking al the spirit of the day upon such
subjects, and the necessity of multiplying
outlets TO market, no one can believo for n