Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1855-12-24
For the Nashville Daily Patriot.
Lectures on Dirt.eating.
NO. TWO.

NO. TWO.
Though | number these illusions, l would not
have it understood that there is any sequence or
connection of subject-matter among them; the
numbers are intended merely for convenience of
future reference, like the chapters and verses in
the Ri lie.
Well, who eats dirt? Why, the members Of the
present and of the last Legislature of Tennessee
at least majority them. TWAS attempted in the
last, and bill is now pending in the present Gene
raj Assembly to abolish, at least partially the DID,
scholastic, superstitious, unjust, impoltc and i'm
moral restriction affecting the matter Of interest
money. The authors and favorers of the bill may
have stopped at ten per cent, only IN compliance
with the ignorance and prejudice of others, and for
the sake of success, upon the principle that half
loaf is better than no bread" In that case, ex
cuse them; but if they really think it right to
tain so much of prescriptive nonsense, then aver
that close scrutiny of teeth and tongue, will prove
that they have been eating something worse than
tough beef steak
For those who talk or vote against the MEASURE
there is evasion of the charge-they not only
standing with them-the result, perhaps, of heredi-
tary tendency. 1t is usual in political squabbles,
for each party to accuse the other of bad motives
rather than of want Of sense. But, in this case,
truth requires the reverse to be said; for no men,
Der can consult his popularity in opposing the bill.
The subject may not have been much discussed
among the sovereigns, but have never known the
1
once and intuitivey, pronounce bis approval Of the
bill, or rather Of more radical and complete one
No, the Vis inScie,ttie which opposed reform of
so obvious expediency, can, have but one origin
dirt may be found in the bellies, stomachs and
mouths of these men-aye, and in their pockets
too, mixed and disguised, it may be, with goobers
sassengers, and dry Goldfish.
To such mental invalids shall address no argu
ment but to their constituents who may be of more
"penetrable stuff" but who may not have cousid
cred the question, submit the following statement
showing The character and effects of the present
law of interest on money:
l. 1t makes distinction ,cithom reason, between
contracts for money and other contracts.
3. As money in the country is, at most times,
commercially worth more than six per cent, and as
many men, from caution or conscience, are unwil
ling to charge more than the law allows, much mo
ney is now locked up, which would otherwise cir
culate and promote the business of the country
There is, therefore, little or no competition among
lenders, and the borrower suffers the disadvantage
OF fcttiously limited market-consequently be
pays higher premium.
8. As some men. after agreeing to pay twelve per
cent, WILL by laW reduce it to six the lender Of
money must compensate these losses by charging
the borrower, who does fulfil his contract, a larger
premium than the state Of the market would other
wise warrant-just as merchant, who sells goods
on credit, must make the amount of his bad debts
out of his customers who do pay
4. And worst of all, the present law offers an in
vitation and reward to dishonesty. If man
borrows $4,000 at twelve per cent, the law offers
him bribe of 5000 to become a rascal, and refuse
to comply with fair contract. Now, have little
faith iu legislating into morality; but it surely
is a dirt eating business so to frame the law to
seduce them into scoundrelism.
pretend to no novelty in these views. They are
doubtless, familiar to all who have thought upon
the subject; and, in all my pilgrimage, have never
heard urged against them a single consideration
of more worth than mouthull of Carolina pipe
clay.
If the bill for change of the Law is not already
dead, l recommend, to be tried upon its opponents,
a weeks abstinence from oysters, and a vigorous
application of vermifuge. IsHMAEL.
Decisions of the Supreme Court.
SEVENTH CIRCUIT-DECEMBER TERM 1855
EQUITY.
John Hutchinson ct ais VIM Norfeet 4 Draughan
trusee-oPnion by Judge Caruhers affirming decree and
remanding cause, SC.
Delilah McCany Aler Barnes Opinion by Judge
Caruthers, Affirming decree Of Chancellor
Mary Mathis James Yates als-Opinion by Judge Ca
ruthes reversing decree overrung demurrer
ing cause for answer, &c.
Fwiis ct ais VS. Bryarly ct as-0pinion by Judge
Caruhers, dismssng writ Of error, Robert being par
ty, &C.
VIM Dowell John Moore ct as-opinon by Judge Ca
ruthsrs, affirming decree below.
R& T Baxter vs. Henry stewart-opnion by Judge Ca
ruthers reversing judgment and remanding cause
B Fort Michael Duty ct aIs-OpinIon by Judge Nc
Kinney reversing decree OF Chancellor.
VIM Mosely's Heirs VS. A HolIs-opinon by Judge Nc
Kinney, Diminishing appeal.
County Of Stewart VS. Woods, Payne 4 Co-Opinion by
Judge Mckinney, affirming Judgment below.
Vim m vsJ II Jones ct als-OpiniOn by Judge McKin
ney affirming decree Of Chancellor.
VIM Saunders Mary Bingham ct Als-oPinion by
Judge Mckinney, affirming decree.
FOURTH CIRCUIT.
Stephen LAngfJrd vs. Love ct als-opinon by Judge
Mckinney, affirming judgment below.