Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-06-03
CL AR X s WILLIE
Friday, June 8, 1859.
DR.. Menees and the Banks.


We need tcarcely remind our readcs that during
the last session of the Legislature, when the cry OF
the democratic party was "down with all banks
and return to the constitutional currency |" pro-
position made TO increase the capital of the
State Bank million and quarter of dollars, to give
II two more branches and to sell State bonds to
raise the additional capital. Nor need tell our
readers that DR.. Menccs voted for that proposition
FOR which vote he now excuses himself by saying
he voted for it rs a relief measure-upon the
principle, we suppose, that when a man has long
borne weight Of one hundred pounds it is a relief
10 place another hundred upon his shoulders; or
that man who has paid as much tax as he can well
bear, will find relief in deeper Indebtedness and
heavier taS. Subsequent to this attempt to burden
the people by increased State, for the benefit of
m odious bank, it will be remembered that Gov.
Harris called together the famous select Convention.
headed by Nicholson and Andy Johnson, and which
Convention passed resolutions endorsing hard
money currency. And, strange as it may seem to
the honest yeomanry, who not upto political
trckery, DR.. Menees was one of the select few who
Fixed up that platform, and, forgctful of his bank
vote, endorsed that platform If we wrong, we
as. ready to correct the error, whenever pointed
out
We are further informed that DR.. Menees was
one Of the State Convention that fixed up plat
form which was to mean hard money in the hills
and hollows and mixed currency in commercial
localities If we are mistaken in this, we will make
the correction rs the error is pointed out
But if we are correct, then the Doctor, by his own
acts stands committed to banks TO hard money,
and mixed currency--to the first by his vote to
increase the capital of the State Bank to the second
by his endorsement of the Andy Johnson--lsham
Harris platform, and to the third by his parci-
pancy in the State locooco Convention which adop-
ted the two-fuccd platform upon which both wings
Of the party stand in hormonious accord. He seems
determined to "kivcr' the whole ground, and has
spread himself 50 wide to accomplish it, that he i,
likely to split in two. But to define his position
more clearly--or rather TO show up his contradic-
tory and unintclgble position, we must have
course to the record. In the new Code, page 81
we find the following;
"Eycry bank, or branch bank SHALL on the first
Monday of January, April July, and October in
each year, make out and transmit to the COmptrO-
Ter in form to be prescribed 10y him, full state
ment OF the affairs Of the bank, sworn to by the
President or Cashier as exhibiting the condition Of!
the bank at two o'clock OF the day Of its date
And amongst the items to be so reported, are the
following on page 37s;
1.-The average amount in each month, during the
preceding three months of the debts due to and
from the bank the average amount of specie each
month; and the amount of bills and notes put in
circulation as money aud outstanding on the first
day of the preceding three months.
"rhe avrage amount in each month during the
preceding three months due to the bank from all
the shareholders of such bank; also the greatest
amour, due to the bank, in each of the preceding
three months from all the shareholders in such
bank.
"Thcsc statements shah he published by the
Comptroller in newspaper IN or nearest the county
In which the bank is doing business, and in a news
paper at the seat of government, tie expense OF
which shall he paid 10y the bank. The statements
shall he laid before the General Assembly at each
regular session.
"a violation OF either of the provisions of the
last three sections is u msdcmeHnor for which such
hank or branch bank shall be fined not less than
Ave hundred dollars nor more than five thousand
dollars.
The provisions OF the last four sections do no,
~ empty 10 the Bank Of Tennessee, or any Of is
brdHehtS'
Now, why this favoritisml If the State Bank
was sound, the people should have known it; il
corrupt il was the imperative duty Of the Legsla-
tive % expose its rottcuuess and wind ny the concern
4 soon as possible But instead Of doing this, OF
even putting il upon an equal footing with the Other
banks, It Is empowered, 10y special act to keep is
doinSs profound secret whilst the other bank,
Incur heavy penalty If they fail to make full cS
pose OF their condition four times year. His vote
for an Increase Of the capital of the State Bank
his endorsement Of the two currency platforms en-
acted by his party, and his vote for the foregoing
trOvisions yan not fail to create wc-proundcd
belief that W. MenceS is not unlayor,he TO the
project Of the President OF the State Bank to make
81 the oily bank aud that the cry about hand money
10 t. cover the design 10 crush every other banking
institution. But n,s unjust Partially for the State
DaDk Goes not So here. Not content with iieng
NJ the othsr bauks wiu the most rigid restrictions
hom which the Bank ol tennessee is exempt, Or,
the lsss,pnd those voting with him, perotrated the
ny" additional act Of injustice, which will he
S'' ISL on page SIy OF the Code
\, mo hiaH or branch bank within ,HIs Satc shall
nSue pay cut fS~sS or circulate any oAnh note or
bin q less denomination than I'VE dollars, except
d biz. er noses Of tho Bank Of Tennessee
INVITA- AZ 5,,.a ,-ghy ,Ah Iavcri,ison lf's' de