Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-11-18

MIR. SPEAKER.-i am now, as | have
been. opposed to the bill recommended by
the majority Of the COMMITTEES on Finance,
WAYS and Means in several of its less inn
portaut details. but will omit allusiOn to
them until the general features are disposed
of-lhose provisions which apply to and af-
feet the great mass Of our people.
DIFFERING WITH THE EXECUTIVE.
I very much dislike TO differ so radically
with tie Chief Executive Of our State on
this, the most important measure which has
been before tie Assembly; but it is,
In a certain sense, by comparing differ
euces oil upiui0n,thaJ correct conclusions are
arrived az, ard being more anxious TO effect
relief for my people than to compromise
with any bT ncl Ct the State Government,
/ can freely acc ,pt the issue presented by the
majority in the pending bill, which Is in
strict accordance with the recommendation
of the Governor in more than one respect.
If in this am in error, can only ask
charitable view Of my motive, as prefer,
in all candor and sincerity, harmony and
concert Of action TO strife and discord. /
assume that no influence save that OF the
interest Of the Taxpayer should 60 further
in shaping the action OF this Assembly on
this question Of taxation than the recon-
mendation Of our able, popular and very
efficient Executive; and coming fresh from
the people, it can well be concluded that
the members of this House should know
their wants, their circumstances, and their
ability to pay at this time.
PAYING THE STATES INDEBTEDNESS.
In the first place, there seems TO be no
substantial difference between the members
of this house, as TO the ultimate necessity
of paving ali lust demands against the
State: however, / win not 90 so far as the
Governor ard many gentlemen on this floor
and declare myself in favor Of paying every
liability, SO called, whether founded in law
and Justice, or f aud and theft. No sooner
would undertake to eXtingUish, by impos-
ing burtheus on an honest, Woodworking
pa0ple. an unjust debt. simply because l am
told by a bloatei bondholding aristocracy
that otherwise the honor and credit of the
State viii be ruined, than would appropri-
ate the pittauce allowed me by law for
the use and benefit of my family 20 the pay
ment of a promissory note stolen from my
purse at night. In this respect l should
make no distinction, and the assumption
that honor. morals or good faith, demand
more at the hands If the Representatives
of this people than would be sought or de-
manded Of a private individual is utterly
absurd. and it seems TO me pa0derlng to a
false sense Of State pride.
THE GENUINE AND THE SPURIOUS BONDS.
| would. if ! could, separate the legal
from the illegal claims and liabilities-the
one | would cheerlully pay, when the pro
Der time arrives; the other l would never
nav. though every street and alley in the
city of New York should resOUnd with the
rUrses and impIeCatiOns Of bOnd-hOlders
and money changers. This much have
said on this branch of the question, regard
ing il as directly in point from the course OF
the majority of the committee, based, as
puess they viii admit, in a great measure
on the recommendation of His EXcellency,
The Governor. which foreShadOws a pay
meut of interest on ALL kinds of State
bonds. and is couched in the following Ian
gus0e: ave cannot discriminate be-
tween these bondsn "And therefore it is
only a question Of time as when we will re-
sumo the payment" This question COT
preserving tie honor Of the State and re-
ducing the rate oftaNation) was fully dis
cusSed." saws tie Governor, throughout
the State in the canvass which resulted in
our election. and The declaration that the
whole debt must be paid, met with the I'M
qualified Endorsements of the people" "And
it is now submitted to your wisdom and
patriotism, as well as your just sense of
State pride, whether TIE aggregate Of reye-
nue. can be diminished" This embodies
the key-no:e to the main question:; and
form tie facts and figures embraced in the
message of Ills EXce.lency and the report
of the Comp,ronar.
WHAT TiIE PEOPLE EXPECT
am Of opinion now, as have been since
reading hose important documents, that
Dthe rate Of taxation" can be reduced and
that the people expect 90 reduce it. How
a difference Of opinion ON this subject can
be entertained for one moment l am at a
loss to understand. The bill before the
House. presented by the Chairman Of the
Fiaance Committces only proposes to raise
asIfiicieanl ot revenue TO meet the liablli
tie, proposed 10 bc provided for by the Gov.
ern1r. While. Lay be stated as follows:
Old issue Tennessee moneys 10000 OJ
Treasury warrants. -.....-,. aoZ,4l1 -
Loan account. -Oo,0UO w
Balance of expenses for 1871. 100000 OK
Expenses for 1872. 6O0,0Oo "
Capital ground a.plcl ration. loO,o0O U
MaGinE total 2,blS,4l7 2
REIIAptE 'sOU1sCES OF, REVENUE.