Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-03-11
.tion. ). ri.b one. if b. complies with The rsgala-

daons as rich one, if he complies with the regala
lions the bank.
But it places the people under the control Of the
banks. How is this? Does this bill propose to
force men 70 20 to the banks, force the banks TO
loan money 70 the people whether they wish 10 Dor
row or not? I imagine not, sir.
The honorable gentleman says, that the threaten
ings Of these banks, could have no influence upon
him. l will not suppose Mr. Speaker, that the gem
tlemau intended intimate, that any Senator here
could be Influenced Unduiy, by threats or promises;
and accord him his claim, that he cannot be in
fueuced by banks al all Yet sir think if be were
travelling through some Of the dense forests otOolon
aud should bg chance meet a bank charter IN MS
way. no d "a would hy faster from ghost or goblin,
than he would run from such frightful presence
But then he is loud IN his denuncatons Of the
whole banking system de IS oPposedt 10 everything
from Bank OF the United States, down 10 the
meanest banking institution in the land Yet, SIR
did you marx, that he is opposed to this bill and
has made an argument agsinstii, becauseit may IN
teIfere win the rights Of stockhOdersin other banks
He is opposed all banks; yet when propose 10 re-
ieve he people, by assisting enc bank, ne ooJec's
because Ia his opinion, IL may inJure other panks
Ii the effect Of this bill would be break down all
other banks the gentleman certainly ought to assist
MS ia the passage Of il, and according TO ms own
arruuent he will have taken one step IN the right
direction. But then the Senator insists that In the
passage Of this bill, otter premium Tor suspen-
siou-a premium Tor dishonesty. Well, SIR, can
n,r so reglrd H. This bank which We propose 60
assist by the passage Of this bill, has suspended
long ago and without any direction from the Legis-
,ur. so 10 do: and if we offer premium at ali, 1t
is for resumiug instead Of suspendlng. Inc state
Bank must resume, according 10 the legislation Of
TINS General Assembly 81 no very distant day, aud
suppose 81 is manifest 10 every Senator, that TINS
bin will "a sist il in preparing to resume Then now
d res II offer bonus for suspension: The effect oil
the bli is precisely The other way.
But. Sir. tae senator asks, where is the evidence
that .hs people need This relief: IL may be, MI
Sneaker Thai the peoyleiu his particular district,
are more highly favored than elsewhere. But, Sir,
all around US here we hear every day, that the Peo-
pie are suffering for want Of good cuTrency-that
The necessities Of the people demand relief OF some
kind at the hands Of This General Assembly Sir,
point gentlemen TO the sales and sacrlhces OF pro-
perty which are being made daily; AS an evidence
that the people are oppressed; and 1t Is passing
strange that the constituency Of the Senator from
Henry are so far favored above all Others that they
feel nothing Of it, And it seems to me, sir, that II
his people are really fortunate, his generous ma
ture ought to compel him to come forward and help
US VINO are less fortunate.
But the Senator alter saying all he can against
the bill says if we will convince him that the issu-
auCe Of these bonds, viii raise the credit Of the
State, he viii 20 for the bill. Aye, sir eoRUHcs han
10 use his own figure, Mr. Speaker, would as soon
undertake to Overlurn this capital with crowbar
as to undertake TO convince him that he ought to
vote for bank bill Of any description. Sir, there
/ IS an Old adage which says:
! "A man convinced against his will,
Is of he same opinion still"
But the Senator says that the friends Of this BILL
will be held to a fearful and awful account. les,
sir and so will its enemies: and warn the Senator.
if he has any ambition outside Of his own district
to keep aloof from the people l represent, let him
/ d .,11I, s-,, IL A. 4
relief and WbosoeYer shall refuse 10 them this rea
soDable demand at this time, will be held to most
| strict account.
There is another position assumed by the gentle
| man, TO which desire 10 call his attention. Mr..
| Speaker the Senator from Henry tells US, that no
man in Tennessee is more determined in his OppOsi-
tom to our present system internal improvements,
| than himself; vet, TO day be bitterly opposes
the passage of this bill, because in his judgment,
this system may be injured by it. Truly Mr. Speaker
consistency is jewel" But, Mr.. Speaker although
the Senator takes the position to-day that the Bank
Of Tennessee is rotten concern, that it has proved
% failure, and that II is in failing condition now
entertaining this particular view, and apparently
cherishing most determined hostility towards that
! institutOu-the gentleman sits here for five long
months, and never once proposes to wind itup Sir
what excuse will you render to your people for not
making an effort to wind up this rotten concern?
! Mr. TRAVIS, interposing. Mr. Speaker, does not
the Senator recoleCt that at early period of the
session, introduced a bill, No. 81, if 1 remember
Alright TO wind up the Bank of Tennessee and every
! other bank IN the State?
! Mr. MCCONNELL. It had escaped my recollection
| Mr. TRAVIS. 1 would like TO know how the gen
| tleman voted on that bill.
/ NJ M;CONNLCO, [ do not recollect It, l suppose
/ the journal will show. But I would Ike 10 know
! what became Of the gentemans bill
Mr. TRAVIS. It was Withdrawn, being superseded
/ by the passage of the late Bank Bill.
| Mr. IcCONNICO. One question more, sir would
/ like to know who withdrew that bill!
Mr. TRAVIS. It waswithdraWn by myself
| Mr. McCONNICO. Exactly So sir. The gentleman
! iutroduceda bill to wind up the Bank, l suppose,
for tue reason that the Bank a rotten concern,
aud ought be wound up; but sir, " change came
Ger the spirit Of his dream" and he withdrew the
/ bill himself ] would like to know in what little
! caucus my friend became convinced that the Bank
! Of Tennessee was a sound institution
Mr. TRAVIS. / have not been convinced Of that
| fact at ALL will state that withdrew the BILL for
the further reason, that the Senate would not
pass IL; and rather than let 1t hang here, and take
/ up The time of the session, Immediately withdrew
! it. But my sentiments have not changed.
! But Mr. Speaker. the Senator talks about the
! enormous expense Of keeping up the Bank. Has
! the gentleman examined the statement Of the Bank
! profits for he last two years
"Fr-m LIST July 1855, TO LIST July, 1885, 1924 As co.
'Fr0m s.July, 1856, to lst July, 1884, S39jS77 0O
! AM, sir, the figures show that the Bank Of Ten
mes ee for the four years and half last past has
paid six per cent interest upon its active capital,
aud upwards of five hundred thousand dollars more.
and yet the Senator talks as if not one cent can be
made by the State Bank, and that the issuance of
! Si,-j0 900 Of State bonds for an increase of its
capital will be a clear loss cannot so gard it. sir
1Ir Speaker I believe if this bill becomes a law,
its effect viii be relieve the people, and to relieve
the State Treasury. The interest will be paid the
bonds WILDE paid at maturity, anda very handsome
| surplus viii remain. Believing this, l shall most
chegrlu,ly vote for the BILL and hope it may pass.