davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22
VIZ NEED NO CHANGE.

Contradictory rumors reach us in
regard to the call of a Convention
to alter, amend or abolish the pres
ent Constitution by the present Lee
gislature. Some are saBguine that
it win be called; others are equally
sure that it will be defeated, and we
share largely in this latter opinion.
Heretofore, we have opposed this
mad scheme through our columns,
but not as partisan. Wehave urged
that it would excite popular COM
motion, increase taxation, and III all
probability fail TO improve upon our
present Constitution.
Viewed from a political stand
point, it is calculated to arouse the
most serious apprehension. We de-
nounce the move to call a Conven-
ton as well devised scheme to re-
store the Radical party to power in
Tennessee. The question of Con-
Vention is now urged as a reforma-
tory measure, and under this flimsy
texture it has seduced here and
there COED men into its advocacy,
but it will be noticed that its chief
fuglemen are members OF the Brown
low dynasty. By our own dissen-
sions and follies, we have reduced,
if not FILTERED away our once over
whelming majority, and change of
a few thousand votes will hand us
over to the party, who stole the
school fund, aAd disfranchised the
white men of the State. Is it a cheer
ing picture that such men have even
a well grounded hope OF a return to
political supremacy? We think not.
There should be no discomfort at
the present conservative rulo in our
State. We have an enlightened Ju-
dietary, whose Herculean labors en-
title it to the lasting gratitude of
the bar and the people. We have a
well organized system of inferior
Courts presided over by honest and
capable Judges. We have an able
and patriotic Governor, whose
soul is bent to the elevation of the
masses and the protection Of the
honor of our State. No change pro-
posed would insure us more capaci-
ty, efficiency or integrity. Our
State is well governed, and to dis
place our present rulers by the sub
stitution of radicals would be so
unwise that we recoil at its bare
contemplation. Let the people
speak out, and denounce this radi-
cal programme as it deserves to be
denounced.
Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22

the initiative and submitting to the
people, and another Legislature
fresh from the people declaring the
same a portion of the organic law
Of the land if the people should so
declare. Our opinion, however,
on the whole, is that il is far better
in our present distressed financial
condition to let the Constitution
alone We freely confess there are
deficiencies in the instrument which
we would gladly see rectifed; still
these are so insignificant in their
character compared to the financial
condition of the State, that we think
the people can worry along with
them for years to come without any
serious detriment. We have no
money to spend in theorising and
none to spare in catering to the
Whims and caprices of any class
The honest and legitimate debt OF
the State must be paid, and to ena-
bic US to pay it we must suffer a
| harmless repression of our senti-
ments for period and let reform
await until retrenchment and hon
esty have put our house III order.
We say by all means let the Con-
ventiOn alone.-FrGnklia Rerielc.
Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22
rhat constitutional Convention.

Divers propositions in regard to
the calling of another Constitutional
Convention have been discussed in
the press of the State, and two or
three propositions looking to that
end, have been before the legisla-
ture, but we believe without any
serious prospect of being adopted
or Of calling the people even to vote
upon the question. We have scarce
ly got our governmental machinery
to running with any smoothness
under the present Constitution,
adopted less than three years ago,
before a clamor is raised for its
abrogation and tue adoption of a
new one. We do not deny that the
present instrument is in many re-
spects defective-as what human
instrument is nOt-but, is there any
thing like a reasonable certainty,
nay, is there any probability that
Convention called at the present
time would be more intelligent,
honest and courageous than the one
which assembled last? We have no
disposition to hatter any man who
was a member of that Convention,
but we doubt if any body of citi-
zens, taken together, in Tennessee,
could now be assembled, which
would do any better, if so well. No
doubt there are counties which
might send more talented men to a
Convention than those they sent be-
fore, but could they do it? We
very seriously doubt it. If the
people were always in the habit of
selecting their best men for their
promotion to public trusts, there
would be less danger in calling
Sovereign Conventions for the cure
of every evil of which we are too
prone to complain; but unfortunate
ly, the people are not in the habit
of selecting the very best men for
public position; and just here comes
in the danger of this everlasting
agitation of the fundamental law of
the State.
The friends of the project of call
ing q Convention are themselves be-
coming disheartened in regard to
the matter. The Nashville CORES
pondent of the appeal, last week,
has this reference to the subject:
The new constitutional conyen-
ton is also much talked of, but is
| rapidly losing favor. Many admit
the imperfectioBs of our constitu-
ton, but prefer to bear with the
same rather than trust to such a
convention of delegates as would be
elected at that time. The parties
being SC nearly equally divided
now, it is feared that much time
would be spent in quarreling over
partisan questions, whilst the best
interests of the State would be neg
lected. There is very little prospect
of such a proposition being submit
ted to the people-not until the
August election, 1874, if done at all.
Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22
Bank oTTennessee Notes.

Concerning the recently promuI-
gated opinion of chancellor Fleming
in regard to the validity of the
New Issue" the Nashvil onion
and American of the lst instant
saws:
4 very considerable degree of
public interest was felt as TO the re-
suit ofthe chancery suit involving
the validity of what Is commonly
known as "new issue" or notes is
ued by the Bank Of Tennessee
during the first two years of the war.
The opinion of Chancellor Fleming
was yesterday given. 1t sets up the
validity of the notes, emitting hold
ers to their full face value and also
to priority OF satisfaction over the
general creditors of the Bank and to
share protrata with all bill holders
whether of the old or new issue.
The case will most probably 90
to the Supreme Court.
From the above ii will be seen
that the holders of the "Torbett is
sue" have some good grounds for
refusing to sell at So cents.
Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22
Miles DurdaB.

The local of the Memphis Regis
ter makes the following notice OF
the late Miles Durdan, of Hender-
son county:
Northern people think the South
crners are all bones. 1t isn't so. l
knew one once who wasn't very
thin. lie lived near Lexington, the
county town of Henderson county,
Tennessee. His name was Miles
Durdan. He was the only man in
that town who rode in a buggy
lie was too heavy to ride horse
back. We boys weighed him once
in this way: We marked the springs
of mis- buggy when he was in II;
then we watched our chance when
he was absent, and piled stones into
the buggy until the weight brought
the springs down to the mark. We
then weighed the stones and they
weighed about zoo pounds, and he
hadn't done growing, either, for af-
ter his death the Rev. John Brooks,
of Lexington, in a letter TO the
press, stated that the weight was
LOCO pounds. l state this as a posi-
tive fact, aud there are plenty of
people in Henderson county, Ten
nessee, who can cOrrObOrate the
statement. | knew the man we'll
He had a hand about as big as the
State of Rhode Island, and heart
bigger, and when he slapped you on
the back you always felt sure you'd
been slapped. L write the above So
that you can see how large i man
can grow if he only tries.
Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22
OUR SENIOR.

Our Mr.. w. w. Gates, the senior
editor of this paper is now absent,
at Louisville, on business of this
office, and we take advantage of his
absence to copy the flattering per-
sonal notice of him from the
Brownsville Bee of last week. The
compliment has been well-earned,
but the prOverbial modesty of our
senior, if he were at home, would
exclude its publication in the WING
AND TRIBUNE:
We had the pleasure of a call last
Tuesday from Col. w. w. Gates, of
the Wing and Tribune. William
w. Gates is Justly entitled to the
distinguished soubriquet of the
Nestor of the Tennessee Press. He
has been a regular, reliable old
wheel-horse in the press service for
over forty years. lie has seen the
live young city OF jackson grow up
from village TO its present dimen-
sions. lie has seen a change from
keel boats on the Forked Deer to
Pullman Palace cars on two of the
leading railroads in the South. lie
has seen the fine old county OF Mad
ison change from a tangled wilder
ness to we'll nigh blooming garden,
and the old veteran has borne a
manly hand in all of these. Yet,
his eve is as bright, his step as
steady, his mind as vigorous ana
his heart as leal and warm, as when
we, country farmers boy, first
knew him twenty odd years agone.
lie is still the directing editor of the
old Wing, which has grown to be a
mammoth sheet with an immense
local and foreign patronage, and has
taken on the name of Wing and
Tribune. We are always glad to
meet our old friend in our young
city, for after a thousand good hui
mored punches at us and our home
the return stroke being always
taken as kindly as the thrust vas
given-we are proud TO recognize
in him a true and valued friend.
May his future years of usefulness
be many amongst ms.
Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22
The Congregational DIstrIess.
The Avalanche of a late date con-
tains the following article:

The Avalanche of a late date con-
tains the following article:
As already known, it is the duty
Of the present Legislature to redis-
trict the State, in order to locate the
tenth Congressman, elected last fall
from the State at large. Two bills
have been propOsed-the latest by
Mr.. Hughes, on Thursday. To as
certain the political complexion of
the different Congressional districts
under Mr.. Hughes bill, we have ag-
gregated the vote cast by the differ
ent counties in each last fall for
Governor with the following re-
suit:
The counties proposed as the First
District gave Brown 7151; Freeman
0,7a6-3jS5 Republican majority.
End. Brown $500; Freeman lO,-
5li-515o Republican majority.
3r6. Brown 1886; Freeman 6s4O-
2799 Conservative majority.
4th. Brown 1870; Freeman $3.50
1901 Conservative majority.
9Th. Brown IL ,267; Freeman 952S -
1889 Conservative majority.
9th. Brown $40; freeman 6O7S-
2162 Conservative majority.
9TH. Brown 1873; Freeman 6I19-
/ 1888 Conservative majority.
Sth. Brown 13947; Freeman SOIL
! {, 500 Conservative majority.
9th. Brown S5I9; Freeman 1851
pip Republican majority.
10th. Brown 9046; Freeman 9297-
/ 95l Republican majority.
! This bill, taking the vote for Gov
ernOr as basis, gives the Republi'
cans the First, Second, Ninth and
| Tenth, and the Conservatives the
Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh
and Eighth districts. The vote Oh
Governor in the proposed district
composed mainly of West Tonnes
see counties was as follows:
Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22
A :middIe Tennessee viii case.

The ''Bodie viii case" from Maui
ry county, just argued in the Su-
preme Court, presents some inter
esting facts. About the year 1S45
an old bachelor, Willis Boddie died
i'm Maury county, his nearest rela-
tive there being a sister, Mrs. Law
renee, who, because of no will be-
ing found, entered upon the estate
of her brother, which, under her
iudicious management, doubled in
value. Mr.. Bodie was known TO
have prepared a viii and had the
same by him only few days before
his death, by which he bequeathed
nearlysall of his property to two
grand nephews named Long, who
were the grand children of Mrs.
Lawrence. Much surprise was had
when the will could not be found at
the time of his death, and Mrs. Law
renee divided the estate equally be-
tween her several children and
grandchildren. Since her death ev-
idence is said to have accumulated
going to show that the will was in
existence at the time of the death of
MIR. BOdie, and that Mrs. Lawrence
destroyed or procured its destruc-
ton. Such are the allegations upon
which the suit was commenced in
the Chancery Court at Columbia, by
the Longs, who are now seeking to
set up the will. Chancellor Marks
taxed the defendants with the cost
in the court below, but decided
against the complainants who have
appealed TO the Supreme Court
Union and American.
Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22
subscriptions Paid 10 the WING
and Tribune.

10. Groom, March 80, 1874.
A IL Cathey, j AN. 1874.
w w Williams, Jan /, 1874.
j n Stegal, Feb As, 1874.
G b Mays, Oct Z, 1874.
II j Mailing, Feb 10, 1874.
II S Chambers, Feb 10, 1874.
Caleb Mcknight, Jan 80, 1871.
j L Mayo, Feb II, 1874.
F j Fly, Feb Is, 1874.
T. G Sharp, June Is, 1878.
Stod Caruthers, Jan 20, 1874.
L NJ Edwards, Aug l, 1873.
IL w Hefily Feb 10, 1874.
w G Smith, Feb &c, 1874.
l. L Brown, Dec y, 1873.
Miss Lizzie Black, Feb 10, 1874.
ID II Allison, Feb 10, 1874.
d w Hughes, Jan 20, 1874.
Job Implicit. Jan %, 1874.
Saml. Pickett, April 16, 1874.
p z Transon, Jan l, 1874.
A N jones, Feb 8, 1874.
DR.. ] NJ Towns, Feb Is, 1874.
a J Jones, Feb Is, 1874.
Samuel McClanahan, Feb. %, III
James w Barnett, Jan S, 1874.
Z B w Hobbs, Feb z, 1874.
John r Wilbon, Feb Is, 1874.
Mrs. Laura w Taylor, Feb 10, IA
j Ii Fesmire, Feb p, 1874.
Y A McLemOre, Feb. %, 1874.
John Ray, Feb %, 1874.
w A RUSSELL, Aug %, 1873.
Mrs. Martha j DAVIS, Aug %, rs
f Spah, Jan 81, 1874.
f E Bryan, Feb %, 1874.
Edward Grady, Jan 6, 1874.
A Goodell, June 10, 1873.
j ID Nelson, Feb 3, 1874.
j n Hicks, Feb %, 1873.
Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22
From the Union 81 American.
Important Bill.

The bill introduced by Senator
Mcconnell, of Trousdale, ''to re-
duce the cost of State prosecu-
tions," makes each county respon-
si0le for all the costs which accrue
in that county in felOnies, as well
as in misdemeanOrs. It takes the
whole matter out of the Comptroll-
er's- Office. Its Importance is appa-
rent from the Comptroller's report,
which shows that, for the fifteen
months ending January l, 1873, the
costs of such prosecutions amount
ed to the enormous sum of $249, 500
80. The Comptroller says to the
General Assembly on this subject:
81 again call your attention to the
frightful bill of costs which the
State is required to pay in criminal
prosecutions. Costs are certified
without any scrutiny of the items,
the presumption being that the State
is rich and possessed of the magical
faculty of creating money by its own
volition. There is often gross neg
ligence upon the part of the officers
whose duty it is to certify as to the
correctness of the items in these
bills of COSTS"
Whatever may be the fate of this
bill, there is no doubt that the evils
complained OF by the Comptroller
should remedied, and there is no
doubt that if the counties had to
pay these costs that they would be
very largely reduced, or a new set
of officers would be elected.
Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22

We see from the Knoxville papers
that the libel suits of Col Jno. Bax-
ter against several Tennessee news
papers have been disposed of as fol-
lows:
John Baxter VS.. Joseph y. Ma
bry, Geo. L. Purvis, ct al; plaintiff
dismisses suit and defendants pay
costs.
Jno. Baxter VS.. Mabry, Burch, ct
al; plaintiff dismisses suit and de-
PENDANTS pay costs.
Baxter VS.. 5. z. WINS and Jno. NJ.
Clementson; plaintiff dismisses suit
and defendants pay costs.
The defendants have all apologies
ed for the publication and Gen. Ma
bry has withdrawn and apolOgised
for his chargeS.--HOTTiStO1rH Ga
zefte
Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22
The Legislature.

There is a resolution before the
legislature to take a recess for all of
next week, ostensibly for the pur-
pose of letting the members go home
to consult their constituents in re-
gard to public measures now before
them, but really. for the purpose of
giving the members a free ride and
big drunk at the Memphis Mardi
Gras on Tuesday. Let the legisla-
ture stay at Nashville, and address
itself to the business it was sent
there to transact. The members
were generally elected upon the be-
lief that they were men of sense and
judgment enough to transact public
business without taking a "recess"
to consult their constituents, every
week or two. The session is now
more than half out, but little bust
ness has been transacted, at least
but little of general utility, and un-
less the members stay at their posts
anu auufess themselves asslduouS-
ly to the business before them, the
seventy-five days of their sojourn in
Nashville Will expire before they
have half accomplished the impor-
tant business before them. That
they will adjourn at the end of sew
enty-five days, we all know, for
then their perdiem ceases-and it is
not the custom, nowadays, for pub
lie men to work for nothing. Let
them stick to their business, and if
they can get through before the
seventy-fve days are out, let them
set good example for all coming
Legislators, by adjourning and re-
turning to their constituents
That's our say.
Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22
The New Postal Measure.

Under this caption the Louisville
Courier-Journal, of late date, con-
tains the following article, which
we think is not wide of the mark:
In the new postal bill which has
passed the House, and should
promptly 60 through the Senate, a
most important reform has been in
augurated-that of requiring post
age in advance ON newspapers. We
have wondered that this was not
done simultaneously with the re-
quirement of advance postage on
letters, and we are disposed to a.
ward to Postmaster General Cres-
well the credit he deserves for the
intelligence, sagacity and courage
he has displayed in pressing this
very important measure. Every
reason for the prepayment of letter
postage applies with tenfold force
to the prepayment of newspaper
postage. Under the old order of
things, Government received abso-
lutely nothing for the bulk of news
paper matter transmitted through
the mails. In the nature of post-of-
fee management it was impossible
to apply any checks or Safeguards,
and the result was that newspaper
hostages, especially in small coun-
try offices, were not collected close
ly, and in the larger Offices returns
were never made for much of what
was collected. We are satisfied that
with advance payment, the price of
newspaper postage can be reduced
one-half, and the receipts of the de-
partment be greatly increased, with
through the mails.
This reform will be even of more
value to the public and to newspaper
proprietors than to Government.
The reduction of postage One-half
will have the tendency 10 increase
the circulation of newspapers. The
fact that publishers will have TO
prepay the postage on each of their
issues will compel those papers that
yet are conducted on the credit sys-
TEN 10 require advance payments
(Which will include postage) We
can conceive of no measure so well
calculated to redeem the country
press from poverty and embarrass-
ment than the abandonment of the
credit and the Inauguration of the
cash system.
But the reform should not stop
with the prepayment of newspaper
postage by publishers. Nothing
whatever should be allowed to pass
through the mails free. Newspapers
should pay postage on their ex-
changes precisely as subscribers.
There is no earthly reason why
newspapers should be allowed to re-
ceive free matter. If members of
Congress and departments of Gov
eminent are compelled 10 pay pos
tage, newspapers should be placed
on the same footing.
Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22
southern Claims.

A bill authorizing the payment OF
rents on property used or occupied
by the Federal army during the
war, and also for tobacco taken,
passed the lower House of Congress
on the twelfth Infant. All claims
of this character are respectfully So
licited by Col. Gilbert Meyers, Of
fee No. 46 North Court street, Mem
phis, Tennessee. We are informed
that Col. Meyers is now in Wash
ton City, attending to the interests
of his numerous clients in this sec
ton. Private advices from him in
dictate liberal policy on the part of
the Government in the payment of
all classes of claims. We are re-
quested to state that the time for
filing claims before the Southern
Claims Commission will expire on
the third proximo. 1t is, hence,
very important that all those who
have not already done so, should at
tend to filing their claims at once
Mem. appeal.
Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-22
Sheriff's Sale.
In the Circuit Court Of Madison
County, Tennessee.
PyleS and Simmons Executors Of w. B.
MarshalL. da--L-. W.. Lnn- l. d nnrc-

PyleS and Simmons Executors II W. B.
Marshall, decd, vs.. JnO- l.. Moore
DY virtue OF a MA issued on judgment
- in favor OF Pyles & Simmons, Execu-
tors Of VIM. II. Marshall, decd. against
Jno. l.. Moore. for two thousand and seven
ty-three dollars and seventy-four cents
pronounced by the Circuit Court Of Madi-
son County. Tennessee. on the 9th day Of
January 1866, which came to my hands on
the 18th OF February last, and was on the
same day levied on the property hereinaf-
ter described, l Will expose 10 sale the fol-
lowing described lots, or parcels OF land,
the property Of defendant, inc. l.. Moore,
said lots lying and seing in the city OF
Jackson. Tennessee, East Of the Mobile n
Ohio hailrOad Depot, to-Wit:
lst Lot beginning on n stake in the east
margin Of Madison Street, on the North
west corner Of the lot II ground conveyed
BY Sheriff Geo. G.. Perkins deed TO Samuel
Luekey, dated 10Th March, 1866, and regis
tered, in book -, pages 10 TO % in the Reg
listers office Of Madison county; runs thence
North along the East eide OF said street,
% 4-l2 feet % n stake on q twenty foot al
ley; thence East along the south side OF
said alley 10 5-l2 feet 10 twenty foot al
ley, as shown by Mrs. StOddert's addition.
running North and south; thence South
along the West side or said alley % Az
feet TO A stake, It being the Northeast cor
ner OF said Luekey lot; thence West with
the North boundary line OF said Luckey
lot to the beginning-the same being lot
Ne. An block { Of Mrs. stOddert's addi-
ton.
End Lot, beginning on a stake, the same
beng the Southeast corner Of the said
Luckey lot above mentioned, II being on the
West side Of the twenty foot alley, AZ shown
by Mr.. StOddert's addition; runs thence
North on the East line OF said lot l5l 6-I2
feet 10 a stake on a 20 foot alley;
thence East 133 5-12 feet along the South
side of said alley 10 stake on ibe West
side Of StOddert Street; thence South along
the West side Of said street I5l 6-I2 feet 20
4 stake; thence West 10 the Beginning. It
being lots No. l, ., 3, 4. and 8 in Block ID
Of Mrs. StOdderts addition. and including
the alley West OF said lots IN said addition.
All the above described property be-
ing portion OF that conveyed BY deed
from Mrs NJ. j. ;. StOddert 70 Moore &
Holland. which is registered in Book p,
page 633 in said Registers Office, at the
North door Of the Court House in the city
Of Jackson, Tennessee, on the
Pend DAY OF MARCH, 1873.
TO the highest and best bidder, for Cash. to
satisfy the above judgment and all cost and
charges thereon.
This 10th February 1874.
r. W. MAY.
Sheriff OF Madison co.
Bright Il Blair, Attys.
feb23-5W