Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1870-09-30

ment springs from and was made for
the people, not the people for the Gov
eminent. no them il owes allegiance:
from them IL must derive its courage,
strength, and wisdom. But while the
government is thus bound to defer to
the people, from whom it derives its
existence, II should, from the very CON
sideration of its origin, be strong in its
power of resistance to the establish
ment of inequalities. Monopolies, per-
petulties. aud class legislation are con-
trary TO the genius of free government,
and ought not to be allowed. Here,
there Is no room for favored classes or
monopolics: the principle of our gov
eminent is that of equal laws and free
dom of industry.
Wherever monopoly maintains
foothold it is sure to be u source of dan
ger, dlscord, and trouble, We shall
but fulfill our duties as q government
by according equal and exact justice
to all men,, "sr ecial privileges to
none" The Government is subordi-
nate TO the people; but as the agent
and representative of the people, Il
must be held superior TO monopolies,
and, which, when they exist, must be
subordinate and yield to the Govern
ment
RcsolUcd, That 1t Is we'll and public
! ly known that enormous frauds have
been pcrpetrated on the revenues of
both the State and Federal Govern
ment, and that colossal fortunes have
been made at the public expense.
This species of corruption has in
creased, isincreasing, and If noS dimin-
ishcd will bring US into total ruin and
/ disgrace. The public creditors and the
/ tax payers are alike interested in
an honest administration of the finan-
ces, and neither class will long endure
| the large-handed robberies of the re-
cent past For this discreditable state
/ of things there are several causes.
Some of the taxes are so laid es to pre-
ent an irresistible temptation to evade
payment. The great sums which
members of Congress and revenue Of
| ficers may win by connivnnce at fraud
create pressure which Is more than
the virtue of many can stand land there
can be no doubt that the open disrc-
gard of constitutional obligations
avowed by some of the highest and
most influential men of the country h 3
realty weakened the moral sense o.
those who serve in subordinate places.
The expenses of the United States, in
Guiding interest on the public debt, are
more than six times rs much as they
were nine years ago.
ResolUed, That the attention of our
Senators and Representatives in Con-
gress is earnestly invited to the neces-
sity of thorough revision of our revc-
nue. system. 1t has been assumed that
the revenue of the State in fact is the
State; i'm effect all depends upon it,
whether for support or reformation of
81, 4,
nue. alone the body polite can act in
its true genius and character; and,
| therefore, it will display just as much
of its collective virtue rs It is possessed
of Just revenue. Our internal reve-
nue. laws and import system should be
so adjusted as to bear most heavily OH
articles of luxury, leaving the necessa-
ries of life as free from taxation as
may be consistent with the real wants
of the government, economically aG-
ministered. Taxation would not then
fall unduly on the man of moderate
means; and while none would be en-
tircly exempt from assessment, all in
proportion to their pecuniary abilities,
would contribute towards the support
of the State.
A modification of the internal reve-
nue. system; by large reduction i'm the
number of articles now subject TO tax.
would be followed 10y results equally
advantageous to the citizen and gov
eminent. II wouhl, under the cxccu-
ton of the law, he less expensive and
more certain, remove distractions to
industry, lesson the temptation to
evadc the law, diminish the violation
and frauds perpctrated upon its pro-
visions, make its operations less in
quisitorial, and greatly reduce in num-
bers the army of Satherers created by
the system, who take from the
mouth of honest labor the bread it has
earned
Resoiued, That retrenchment, re-
form and economy should be carried
into every branch of the public SER
vice, that the expenditures of the gov
ernment may be reduced, and the pe0-
pie relieved from oppressive taxation
sound currency should he restored,
and the public faith, in regard TO ali
just and equitable obligations, sac.cdly
observed.
The accomplishment of these inn
portant results, together with the COM
plcte restoration of the Union OF the
States upon the principles of the Con-
stitution, would inspire confidence al
home and abroad in the stability OF
our institutions, and bring 10 the ma
ton prosperity, peace and good will"
J. III. Caldwell moved the adoption
| of the same.
Previous to taking the vote on the
| motion of Mr.. Caldwell, Mai. John
McGaughy, of Greene, addressed the
Convention in some pertinent and
well timed remarks in relation 10 the
same; after which the motion to adopt
Z nnt "A al imam IL
in.
Ebert Fowler moved that the Con-
vention proceed to nomination.
concurrcd in.
VIM. n. Clarkson moved that Col.
James White, of Hawkins, he declared
the clDDice of the Convention rs its
candidate for Congress by reclamation.
Elbcrt Fowler seconded the motion,
and il was put and carried amid great
applause.
Maj. james Britton, and Il. c. Cain,
were appointed "A Committee to wait
upon Gel. White and inform him OF
his nomination.
The Committee, after n short alb |
sccnce, returned with Col. White, who
was received with hearty demonstra- !
tions 10y the convention, aud, after be- |
ing introduced by Col. Telford, who |
temporarily occupied the chair, adj
dressed the Convention accepting the |
nomination, returning his thanks.for
its confidence, pledging himself TO do |
his whole duty in the canvass, and |
asking the hearty cooperation of the |
members of the Convention.
The President appointed the fol- |
lowing Executive Committee for the |
Congressional Districts
johnson County,. III. Wagner, G.. |
III. Shom:
Carter. NJ, Cameron. ID. G.. VIII |
cox
Sul'ivan-Jchn Slack, Ebert Fow-
Ter;
Washington-D. w. r. Sewer, Col. |
G.. w. Tclford