Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-04-03
GOvERsOK BROWNS VETO MES
From the Memphis Appeal.


We publish this morning the message OF
Governor John Q. Brown, vetoing the tip
pling bill. 1t will be seen that his action is
predlcated on constitutional objections, and
that he does not discuss the policy of the
oill which be vetoes. The message of
Governor Brown should be carefully read.
II is unanswerable, and will convince the
people that they have Governor who will
stand like stone wall between them and
improper and unconstitutional legislation.
The fact that Governor Brown has not
been overruled in bis vetoes shows that his
arguments have convinced the General As
sembly Of its error. The veto message we
publish this morning is clear and concise in
ats law and reasons, and viii be approved
by the people. This veto prohibits uncon-
.stitutional legislation, and at the same time
prevents thai excitement and dissipation
incident to the proposed election. Expert
ence has fully demonstrated that legislation,
however stringent, cannot make sober men
out of drunkgrds, and we are glad that
Governor B Own has rid the people of a
question, the discussion of which would
have resulted in no good.
4. The policy of Gov. Brown in regard to
the Indebtedness of the State is worthy of
all praise. While 3 candidate last fall,
Gov. Brown boldly aud unequivocAly, in
ali bis speeches, denounced reputation,
favored the funding of the public debt, or
some measure by which the credit of the
State could be maintained. he was
sustained in this position bV The press and
the people Of the State. He was elected,
with full knowledge of his views, by the
people. When the Legislature convened
in January last, Gov. Brown in his mes
sage and inaugural address again favored
the policy of funding the State debt, and
THEREBY preserving tha honor aud credit of
the Srate. The LEGISLATURE passed fund
ing bill, but refused to increa ase the taxes
necessary to meet the payment of the in
terest. But the funding bill as passed pro-
vides that the taxes raised by the revenue
bills of the State should be set apart for
the payment of the interest on the funded
debt thus leaving nothing to pay the cur
rent expenses of the State. The Legisla-
ture adjourned without settling this matter,
and the financial question now is not
whether we can pay the July interest in
1874, and the January interest in 1875, but
will we pay the curreLt expenses of the
State government, the interest being
fully provided for? If, as required by the
funding bill, all the revenues Of the StaJe
should be applied to the payment of the in
terest on the State debt, the credit of the
State will be sustained. But at the same
time the current expenses of the State will
be unprovided for and unpaid.
The tax-paying people of Tennessee will
sustain Gov. Brown in his manly, straight
forward efforts 10 redeem bis pledges made
while candidate. They viii grid them
selves with renovated patience, relying up
on the great natural resources Of the State,
and press forward with renewed and in
creasiDg energy, economy and industry,
bearing like honest men and patriots all
necessary burdens to sustain our State
credit and develop her mighty and match
less mineral and agricultural resources.
Gov. Brown has fought the good fight, acted
well bis part. He sees, and feels and knows
that Tennessee, with her historical glories
of other days, and all her natural and unsur-
passe1 advantages; her inexhsustitle physi-
cal resources; her rich scenery presenting
q landscape of glowing beauties, cannot keep
pace in the march of empire with a name
tarnished by the foul blot of reputation.
If tennessee would keep company with
the rest of the world in the progress of the
times, she must sustain John G. Brown in
his noble efforts to preserve a name for
honesty.