Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-04

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influence would be exerted on the
whole mass of legislation--one en-
tirely legitimate, and whose absence
is an anomalous condition of things.
mediocre representation from Nashville and
| Davidson county is misfortune, locsd and
| general. and one easily avoided If the peo-
| Die will it. Another effect also, of always
sending an able delegation from this coun-
ty would be the general elevation of the
stapdar of legislators. Our thrifty and
generous rival on the Mississippi would not
willingly be outdone in this respect, nor
would the ancient Capital in East Tennes-
see, not to speak Of many other points in
the State. A reform In this respect Is be-
coming an indispensable necessity to. the
welfare and prosperity of the State, and
nowhere can it be so fttingly begun as at
the Executive centre. +.
Lobbyism-that precious "Fifth estate of
the realm"-would be then curtailed of its
vicious dimensions, If not altogether abol-
ished. The mischief done by the practice,
so greatly In vogue in the last ten or fifteen
years, is not so much due to corrupt appli.
ances, 0hough there is, in all
truth, enough of that, directly and
Indirectly, as it is to the management OF
weak, uninformed and unsophisticated
Legislators, who "are led by the nose as
tenderiy as asses are" by shrewd, selfish
and unscrupulous jobbers in legislation. If
our Legislatures were composed of men of
clear heads, discriminating intelligence and
strong convictions Of the right and wrong
of things, the vocation of these sweet
Tipped superservicesbles would be ended,
the public business during the Legislative
session would progress more rapidly, the
public expenses would be lessened, and ar
infinite deal Of salutary reform would be
effected. The men empowered by the peo-
pie would then govern the State, and not
the agents Of coteries, and clques, and
rings.
Another thought on this subject viii be
given frankly. The soldier challenges pub
Lie respect and admiration, and deserves it,
and other things being equal, is as well
qualified and entitled to important civic
trusts as any other individual. But
the mere fact of having been soldier
does not necessarily qualify a man for the
responsible position of law-maker, and as
we have so many good ex-soldiers, the fear is
not that some excellently qualified individ-
uals among them may be brought into Leg
but that too many indifferently
qualified for civil employment will be SO
honored as mere matter Of compliment
and reward, and the civil service lack for
that degree of competency it requires. This
too, is apt to be of the young and
and scarcely any amount of
talent can supply these deficiencies.
1t would be better, therefore, if our young
warriors STARRED at Jericho till their boards
have grown" while older and wiser, If not
sounder-headed, were re-setting the foun-
dations of the State. AS they were once
gallant lances in war, in time they may be-
come polished shafts in the temple of peace.
This inexpert writer is not an aspirant, or
! possible candidate, and has the names of
40 persons to propose as such, but has only
sought to give expression to some thoughts
which have occurred to him, and to many |
,thers concerned for the |
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