Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-18
PUBLIC LEDGER.
rHR LRersLATURE.

IAE IEu4oLAAONE'
Since the organization Of the Leglsla
ture the members OF both houses hav'
addressed themselves earnestly to thu
work before them, and much has already
been accomplished This is emphati
cally a working Legislature, and fortu
nately is conservative and practically
non.partisan. The prejudices Of the late
canvass have been left behind. aud all
parties seem to be forgotten in an earnest
desire to promote the general welfare Of
the State. There is not likely to be any
tendency to class legislation, even ~ re-
districting the State, when the greatest
temptation to favor one party or the
other for the next eight or ten years will
be offered, and professional politicians
will flock to Nashville or flood the
mails with letters to influence legis-
lation in the interest of certain aspi-
rants. We believe that the members
will be deaf to all such appeals, and
guided mainly by wisdom and patriot
ism that rises high above the puny striies
of the hour and LOOKS to the veal of the
State regardless Of any party, Such is
our estimate of the temper and compo-
sition Of the Legislature, judging from
our own immediate representatives. and
the course Of both Houses thus far 1t
would be rare and almost sublime
spectacle in such political era as this
to see Legislature unite with unanimi-
ty to advance the interests Of all classes
regardless Of political aspirations or
predi.sctions. The financial problem
will probably be solved by carrying out
Governor Browns suggestions il regard
to funding the entire outstanding public
debt. A public school system viii doubt
less be adopted and put into operation as
far.as the means available will permit at
present, and from year TO year its work
ings can be perfected and accelerated
until we have public schools in every
district at least eight months in the
year, under as good regulations as exist
in older and more populous States
which we hope to see in very few years.
Such bill, prepared by the Teachers
Association of Tennessee, has already
been presented and referred to its ap-
propriate committee. Other bills care
fully elaborated will no doubt be sub
mittsd, and from all we hope the best
aud most practicable will be selected
and made a law. All parties, Demo
cratic. Republican and neutral, have
professed to be in favor of educating the
poor children of the State as well as the
rich. Now is the time, if ever, to prove
that they are in earnest. This is
peoples Legislature, elected without
party machinery, and the people expect
more than usual; they expect that party
pledges viii be redeemed. Thus far we
have not heard Of long speech. Gov.
Brown set good example in his brief
inaugural, the greater portion Of which
we published yesterday; but as to that
matter, his message was long enough,
and left but little to be said The cleo
ton of State officers was by previous
order taken up yesterday. Candidates
are numerous and anxious. They have
been in Nashville for two weeks pay
ing high board and other bills, and the
end is not yet. Both Houses met in
joint session yesterday, and Mr.. A. 7.
Lacey presided. There were a dozen
for Secretary of State--T.
Il. Butler, present incumbent; c. NJ
W. o. N. Perkins, John
j. II. Neal, Ed s. Cheatham,
Major W. d. Lumpkin, W. C. Payne,
Colonel James B. Bingham, G. N. Gibbs,
J. J. Wormack, DR.. c. Wheeler. Sew
eral ballots were taken without an cleo
ton. The result is doubtful.