Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-10-14

YsgS- The pruprietors of the Chronicle are of
orinion that the Governors Message is of such an
inordinatc length that IL win pay no to read it.
or print it. We are of the same opinion and not
being fond of proof-readng, are glad to escape the
infection of so long document. The Banks con-
sttute the staple of the Message, and the Governor
fearing that his party is not prepared to endorse
any purely hard money experiment contents him
self with twaddlc about banking, generally, and
the recommendation of restrictions which he, no
doubt hopes will, il adopted lead to the system
which he fears openly to recommend.
In the last canSass a portion of the democratic
!. party was for the recharter Of the Planters and
Union Banks, with additional restrictions, and for
the winding up of the State Bank another frac-
ton was opposed to re-chartering Planters and
Union Banks, and for perpctuating the State Bank
and increasing its capital, whilst third division
was for no banks and hard money. To meet the
wishes of the whole motley crew was of course,
impossible; and the Governor, leaning fronE the
most radical of his party friends has nothing to say
about hard money, and recommends the extinction
of the State Bank at the expiration of its charter,
in which last Recommendation, we full concur
But the gst of the Governors long homily on
banks. is the restrictions he would impose, being
nine in number and as follows
First: To reserve to the Legislature the right to
repeal or modify charter at will. Second That
banks shall not issue more than two dollars in
paper for one in specie. Third That no bank
shall issue notes of a less denomination than twenty
dollars-A glorious opening for the shin plasters OF
other States. Fourth: That every bank shall be
required to issue no notes which are not payable at
the counter where issued. Fifth That the entire
nroperty of each stakeholder shall be liable for the
debts of the bank. Sixth: That every note issued
shall be countersgned by the Secretary of State OF
some other designated officer. Seventh: That three
competent men shall be appointed, with power to
overhaul the books of the banks, whenever they
please Eighth That the suspension OF a bank 1ol
twenty days, or the violation of any provision OF
the charter shall work a forfeiture, and that the
three competent men, when satisfied OF such suspen'
sion or violation, shall attach the assets OF the
hunks, and prosecute them to judgement. Ninth
Such penalties and forfeitures as the Legislature
may think proper to provide
These are the safeguards our wise Governor
would throw around the system of banking; anc
whether any sensible man would accept charter
with such % batch of restrictions remains to b'
seem And whilst recommending them, the Gov
ernor ought to have shown his mpartiality by
advising that the Legislature retain over all incor
porated Companies the power claimed for it owe
banks Railroad Companies sometimes msmanag
business and it would be glorious privilege if thu
Legislature could repeal their charters and leave
road half Finished and the cost thrown away. Has NO
that Body the same power to violate all Veste'
rights that il has TO violate those of banks? Thel
place Railroad Manufacturing, Mining, Literary
Religious and Banking interpretations all on thu
same footing, and see how the principle will work
Give to the three competent men, OF Board o
Supervisors the same ipquistiorial powers over al
corporate bodies--but don't make flesh of one anC
fish of another. Tnm democracy loose upon tn,
best interests of the State, and let it rcyel in the
ruins. Dcmolish the Constitution, and give to TIL
people full sway rs squatter soyreigns-fOr this i
the tendency of democratic radiGalism. Demolisl
the Legislature, and let aws,be enacted by nf&s
meetings. This is democracy. Impose checks AM
balances upon the dear sovreigns2 Nonsense +
Federalism