Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-11-09

men Of the late rebellion. They are for
the most part, those who after encour-
aging strife, shirked all danger in order
to look after their pecuniary interests.
Such would doubtless be their course
again If they could succeed in involving
the people in war.
The present cherished design Of these
men is by force to prevent the enforce
ment of the existing franchise law, so as
to secure for themselves control of the
State government at the August elections
As they declare that they are sustained
| in their designs by the acting President
of the United States, and as have
reason to apprehend that this latter
declaration is true, call upon you to
provide for any emergency that may
arise.
So far as my duties may be involved, l
do not intend to tamely surrender to an
illegitimate State government, no matter
by whose encouragement it may be set
on foot. But as the arms of the State
disappeared from the capital during the
rebellion, and there is no military organ
ization anywhere in the State, and no
funds provided by express enactment for
the defense of the lawful authorities.
call your attention to the state of af-
fairs, and to the present militia laws, and
invoke your speedy and fearless action.
| recommend that you authorize the en-
listment of few regiments of loyal
militia to be armed and held as minute
men subject to the call Of the executive
To suppress insurrection or protect the
ballot box.
If sufficient provision be made, the
executive pledges himself to see that the
law is sustained, be the consequences
what they may.
He urges the absolute necessity Of in
creasing the salaries of judges, as mem
beers are soon to be elected, and the con-
stitution prohibits the increase Of salary
during the incumbent's term.
He recommends the sale of the Her
mitage property, as measure due to the
State and satisfactory to taxpayers.
He says. feel warranted in stating
that twenty-five per cent of the convfts
now in the State prison are there on
account of the color of their skin or their
antecedents, as Federal soldiers or active
Unionists, or at least two who would not
have been there if they had different an
tecedents or different color; that seventy
five applications for pardon of such col
ored persons or discharged Federal
soldiers are now in his hands, and the
Legislature is urged to appoint a com
mittee to investigate and report each
case to the Executive.
He recommends further State aid to
East Tennessee and Georgia, and to
East Tennessee and Virginia railroads,
as the General Government has notified
said roads that it would take possession
about this time for settlement of
claims.
He urges the Legislature to encourage
that agencies may be
and paid companies to facil-
itate immigration may be incorporated
with liberal charters, and national aid
extended to the foreigner to enable him
to reach our border r,.y
He calls attention to the numerous
suits to impede and harass commission
ers of registration, and to the Injunction
against the Metropolitan Police, as out
groupings of that rebelious disposition
which for four years set law at defiance;
aud he urges legislation to correct the
evil. nl
He closes by referring to the political
situation, and urging reliance and CO.
operation with the aims of Congress.