davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19
IS THE FINANCIAL QUESTION A
SECTIONAL ONE9

The success Of the Democracy In the
recent election, in spite of every va
riety of financial platform, from the
Pendletonian imitation of Indiana 10
the hardest kind of hard-money talk
IN New York, goes to prove that the
question Of national finances is still in
embryo. It is like a lawsuit barely
entered upon. where the lawyers are
still preparing their briefs, and the ar
guments have yet to come. The Judge,
who, IN this case, are the people, can
not give verdict thus early in the dis
cussion.
AT present the financial question
seems to possess a sinister sectional as
pect, and some are unwisely exaggerat-
ing this feature. We are told that the
North and East are solid for specie re-
sumption, and its supposed corollary,
contraction; while the South and West
are represented as inhationists. These
views need material modification. The
idle mill operative of Massachusetts is
as anxious for "more money" as the
Western farmer. The great difference
is, the latter can manage to
live without money, while the farmer
must starTe if he has not employ
ment. When the real crisis comes for
Eastern capital, it viii not come from
the West or the South, but from the
toiling millions of their own workshop.
The South is divided on the question of
finance to-day, there being large
number among US who think no tempo
rary advantages cancompensate for the
evils of an irredeemable currency. In
the West, a majority of the leading
journals favor resumption, though the
weight of passing public opinion may
be for imitation.
The sectional aspect of finance is
largely reflex of sectional injustice in
other matters of national interest. The
South has been impoverished and dis.
heartened by political misrule. OF
course we need more money. But if
the greenback mill were started to-
morrow, We know we would not get
dollar except by giving an equiv
alent of our products or labor.
So the West, In common with the
South, has been impoverished by tariff
monopohes, national banks, high inter-
est, and class legislation In favor of
New England generally. All such
grievances are sectional, and the CON-
plant of financial distress very natu-
rally seems sectional for the time being.
These reflections suggest that when
existing inequalities are balanced, the
tariff adjusted, class legislation re-
pealed, and the South restored to home
rule, the financial problem will be
already half solved without any direct
action toward that end. Certainly this
is the first step In its solution to equal
ize the burdens of government between
the various sections. Until this pre-
lminary readjustment be made we
cannot know where we stand, or what
We want. Not till then can we hope to
intellIgently discuss and frame fnan-
cial system that will be permanent be-
cause Just.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19
REPUDIaTING PROTECTION.

The Chicago Tribune will disappoint
the protectionists. 1t is already evil
dent that under the management of
Mr.. Medill, who has spent a couple of
years in Europe, that journal viii not
advocate protective tariff. In a re-
cent issue, the Tribune says:
A Chicago newspaper, which is the
organ of special privileges and special
interests, complains that the Tribune
speaks Of the tariff as imposing taxes
upon the AmericaS people who con-
sumo the imported goods, when, as
that paper insists, all the taxes i'm!
posed by tariff are paid by the per-
sons sending their goods to the United
States, and not by the purchasers.
This is very old and very sick
ly doctrine. Suppose an American
in Europe should, Just before
returning home, purchase a suit of
clothes for $50, an overcoat for $50, a
hat for 81, and pair of boots for So,
while his companion, deferringh his pur-
chases, should pay at home, for the
same quality Of goods, SIS for the
clothes, $40 for the overccat, 50 for the
hat, and SIS for the boots, in such
cases we fail to see how the difference
in the two bills is paid by the ECrOpean
tradesmsn. Tue man who purchases
abroad pays $50 for the articles, and
that is the end of it. The man who
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19

THE Ne10 York. Freeman's Journal
attributes. the recent political upheaval
in its section to "the popular instinct
of self-preservation," rather than to
any party platform or management, in
tending such results. Its view of the
verdict is expressed as follows:
The cry of the country-one too dis
tinct, too earnest, and to general, to
be gainsayed, has been: "Back to hell,
with your proposal of renewed civil
strife! Silence your idiot falsehOOds
about rebellion rampant in the South!
We want the negroes IN the Gulf States
to go to work, next January, on the
sugar plantations; and, in February, In
preparing the cotton fields. This is the
way for restoration of confidence IN our
future. Cotton, and sugar, and rice,
raised at the South, with tranquility,
and good neighborhood between the ig-
norant and landless negroes and their
late masters, means, for us at the
North. markets for our corn and our
pork. Markets for our mines, our fur
naces. our looms, and our factories of
all kinds, that we can exchange to ad-
vantage with the planters of the South.
1t means occupation for skilled labor.
II means work for the longshoreman
and for the bod carrier. 1t means the
restoration of that old and Astounding
prosperity that made the United States
once SO wondrously prosperous.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19

In case the Democracy should get
hold of the Federal Government, two
years hence, some people would be
amazed at finding how many staunch
Democratic politicians had for years
belonged to the Republican party, and
fattened on it. They will swear, you
know, that they had always been Dem
ocrats at heart, and had merelyremain-
ed among the Republicans from patri-
otto motives. 1t seems that a number
of such patriots have already made
their appearance in New York.-Cin-
cinnati Commercial.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19


All Tennessee can do is to await the
yearly assessment, accept Of the valua-
ton returned by the assessors, and de-
termine the rate of taxation. She Is
powerless to raise, or In anywise control
values. Halt the property in the State
may be ommitted from the books, or
may be, as it is, entered at half values,
The State officers and officials are pow
erless to remedy it. One county may
assess at full values, another county may
assess at three-fo1rth values, another
at half, and still another at quarter
values; the State officers and officials
can do nothing to produce equality or
justice.
On the general subject of taxing rail
roads the Memphis Ledger makes the
following timely remarks:
The charters of the railroads in this
State exempt the companies from tax
alton for term of twenty years. That
term has recently expired with several
of them, and it will devolve upon the
Legislature to determine whether rail-
roads shall be taxed as other property.
The constitution requires all taxation
to be uniform, and under our laws
property belonging to educational In
situations, to widows of ex-Presidents,
ETC., is exempt; but nowhere in the con-
stitution or statutes is there any pro-
vision under which railroads may be
exempted from paying their share of
the public burdens, save under their
charters as above mentioned. The rail-
roads, in most instances, take care OF
themselves by reducing the pay of their
employees and by increasing local tariffs
far beyond the limit prescribed in their
charters. That railroads, and all such
corporations, are the mere creatures
of the State and subject to its control,
there is no question. The State
has right of which it cannot divest
itself, 10 impose taxes upon every spe-
cies of property, and a corporation has
no rights over and above the citizens Of
State. The Pullman palace sleeping
cars are likewise liable to taxation and
should be made to pay either priv
lege or an ad valorem tax, as assessed
against other property. AT the time
the internal improvement laws were
passed some twenty years ago, it was
considered sound public policy to ex-
empt railroads for term of years, un-
til the leading lines could be put into
successful operation. The State loaned
her credit at an immense loss to many
of these corporations. We have about
all the railroads needed to carry the
products Of the soil to market, and to
do the general freight and passenger
traffic of the State. If those we have
are not self-sustaining and have to be
put on an elymosenary footing, it is
high time to have a change of policy.
We are opposed to all subsidies as well
as monopoies, especially those that
daily violate the conditions of the
charters which brought them into ex-
istence.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19
HOW TO ELECT A UNITED STATES
SENATOR.

The time is fixed by law of Congress
passed In 1866. Prior to that date
each State fixed the day for itself, and
either house could refuse to 60 INTO an
election and thus postpone the selection
of Senator for a year or more. In
few instances this was done. One house
of Legislature being Republican and
the other Democratic, the party which
was In the minori y Oh JOINT ballot
would prevent the house which it con-
trolled from going into an election and
thus postpone it until after another
election of members, in the hope of Sc
curing a majority on joint ballot. To
prevent this, Congress passed an act in
1866, providing:
'sThat the Legislature of each State
which shall be chosen next preceding
the expiration of the time for which
any Senator was elected to represent
said State in Congress, shaH on the
second Tuesday after the meeting and
organization thereof, proceed to elect
a Senator in Congress, in the pace Of
such Senator so going out of Office, in
the following manner: Each house
shall openly, by a viUd r0ce vote of each
member present, name one person for
Senator In Congress from said State,
and the name of the person so voted
for who shall have a majority of the
whole number of votes cast In each
house shall be entered on the journal
of each house by the clerk or secretary
thereof; but if either house shall fail
to give such majority to any person on
said day, that fact shall be entered on
the journal. At II O'Clock meridian
of the day following that on which
proceedings are required to take place,
as aforesaid, the members of the
two houses shall convene In JOINT as
sembly, and the journal of each house
shall then be read, and if the same
person shall have received a majority
of all the votes in each house, such
person shall be declared duly elected
Senator to represent said State IN the
Congress of the United States but if
the same person shall not have received
a majority of the votes In each house,
or If either house shall have failed to
take the proceedings as required by
OAiS dCe, TIC JOlnt assembly sndI Iheh
proceed TO choose, by a viva voee vote
of each member present, person for
the purpose aforesaid, and the person
having a majority of all the votes of
the said joint assembly, majority of
all the members elected to both houses
being present and voting, shall be de-
clared duly elected; and in case no per-
son shall receive such majority on the
first day, the joiut assembly shall meet
at II O'Clock meridian of each succeed
ing day during the session of the Leg
islature, and take at least one vote
until Senator shall be elected"
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19
SHALL WE TAX DUB RAILROADS.

Nearly all our State exchanges that
have touched the subject, give an
affirmative answer. The Memphis
Ledger notices the anomaly of Pull
mans palaces paying no taxes, though
each of them is worth as much as
200 acre farm, and earns, In the course
of a year, much more ready money.
This is an oversight almost unpardona-
bic, and affords a striking illustration
of defect in our general assessment
system. We understand that theState
officials have called the attention of the
county authorities to this matter, as
well as railroads already liable to taxa
ton, but without effect. The trouble
is that the State officials have no means
for correcting errors or omissions IN
the county assessments, however glar-
ing they may be. The returns must be
accepted as they come up from the
counties. In his recent pamphlet on
Taxation and Assessment, Mr.. N. I.
Williams, member of the last Legisla-
ture, from Shelby, thus alludes to this
defect:
No State in the Union stands more
in need of a good and efficient rev. nu
and assessment law than Tennessee.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19
INCREASED MAJORITIEs ON A DE-
CREASED VOTE.

A matter of general surprise and re-
greet at our November election was the
comparatively small vote--much smaller
than that Of August, and altogether
too small in view of the important In
terests at stake. Alarm was felt for
some days, lest Tennessee's Democratic
majority would be ridiculously light,
and of no moral effect. Indeed we
were tempted, In the midst of the
glorious news from other States, to
scoid the home folks for contributing
so little to the general result. In spiteof
the small poll, however, our majorities
have kept steadily increasing until now
Porter leads Maynard $4,000. The to-
tai vote this year was only Isl, $50,
against Isl, 7S9 two years ago, falling
off Of over $4,000 votes. The decrease,
however, is all on the Republican side,
the vote for Porter this year overlapping
that for johnson and Cheatham COM
bined by several hundreds. The falling
off on Maynard's vote is over 25,OOO-
a natural result of his unpopularity
and Civil Rights record.
From these comparisons, 1t would
seem that our party friends attended
the polls in full force, and the absen-
tees were mainly disheartened Repub-
hcans. We would like to hear the
views of our State exchanges concern
ing the proportion of Republicans who
stayed away and the proportion who
voted against the 'sum of villainies. /"
In East Tennessee we know many were
active on our side, but in the other Sec
tions we question that this was the case
to any notable extent
Another point on which we would in
vite inquiry is the comparative apathy
of what is known as the floating
vote" of towns, black and white Our
information is that whisky flowed less
freely than usual, and the patriots of
the curbstone did not vote anything
like their full strength. The quiet de-
termination of the honest masses dis
armed their leaders, and the hoaters
had no inducements to attend the polls.
Does the observation of our country
contemporaries confirm this view? If
so, the small poll of Nov. 8 proves no
apathy among the real people, but the
moral defeat in August of all the ele-
ments of discord. This time it was the
rascals and tricksters who were apa-
thetic, because they found their occu-
patton gone.
We think the same facts discernible
in many Of the Northern States. New
York, for instance, polls fifty thousand
votes less than in 1872, and yet shows
a political change of over one hundred
thousand. Throughout the North and
Northeast, the late elections indicate
that honest men pushed to the front,
and the hordes of corruption were
paralyzed before their steady onslaught.
1t means a re-awakening of the nation
al sense of honesty. This is one of
the most cheering signs of the times.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19

purchases at home pays Sis, or a tax
of S5S, and we are unable to see any
way in which he is to get the $50 back
from the men in Europe with whom he
refused to trade directly. Neyerthe-
less. the high-tariff protection organ
insists that in no case does the con-
sumer pay the tax, but that the Brit
isher, or Frenchman, or German manu-
facturer has to do it, and all Repubh-
cans are expected to believe it and vote
accordingly.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19
DID STANTON Con,nr SUICIDE.

The statement made shortly after his
death, that Secretary Stanton had COM
mitted suicide, was met by an indig-
nant denial. But the truth. like muir
der, will out. The Springfield Republi-
can says:
What Jerry Black has darby limited is
now boldly stated in some Of the papers,
that Secretary Stanton fastened his
death during the last days of his de-
spending illness by partially success
full attempt to cut his own throat. 1t
was one of his customs, runs the
now extraordinary revelation, to be
shaver at home, and the duty was per-
formed by colored barber who came
regularly for the purpose. In MIR.
StantOn's private apartment stood an
improvised shaving chair, and TO this
the trusty valet would 60 at the ap-
pointed time, to perform his
duty. Mr.. Stanton had been appa-
rently failing gradually in health
for a week, and had become
so respondent as to almost excite fears
of an alteration of the mind. On the
evening of the sd of December, the
colored valet called TO shave Stanton.
They were left alone In the private
apartment; and Stanton took his seat
in the chair. The barber had partly
finished his task, and, laying down the
razor on little table beside Stanton,
stepped across the room forsome water.
A movement startled him, and he
turned Just in time to see the glisten-
ing steel flash by the barred throat,
leaving a streak in its wake. Rushing
to the side of Stanton, the barber
caught the razor before another stroke
could be made. He called for help,
and In few moments there were at
the bedside the Surgeon General, few
trusty attaches of the government, and
one or two members of the family.
The work had been done, however, and
the life-current reached. AT 3 o'clock.
next morning, Stanton was dead. How
well the secret of his death has been
kept, those who read this may know.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19
BANKING.

SaplsA.
surplus unc- .............-............. 5000
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19

THE Pennsylvania Railroad, one of
the best managed roads in the country,
has recently promulgated a series of
very sensible rules, in which the COM
fort CT travellers is duly considered.
Newsbcys on the trains OF that road
Will not be permitted to Individually
importune or annoy passengers, but
may announce, In low voice, at inter-
walls not exceeding four times in each
car, the articles offered for sale. Nor
viii they be permitted to deposit their
papers, books &C., on the seats of the
car or in the laps of passengers. Con-
ductors are instructed to seat passen-
gers and see to their comfort and en-
joyment as much as possible, and bag
gage agents and masters are required
to handle baggage carefully. These
rules should be enforced on every rail-
road in the country.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19

THE present status of the school
question in Memphis is thus epitomized
by the Ledger:
In reference to the failure of the city
to collect the tax to support the public
schools, the Mayor throws the blame
on the General Council; the latter
shoves the responsibility On the Mayor,
and the School Board places the re-
sponsibility on both the above. Our
opinion is that there are several people
in Memphis who are in favor of closing
the public schools, being opposed to
the American free school system.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19

THE Ne,C York Herald intimates that
Grants anxiety to see his old patron of
Illinois, now of Paris, France, is that
he wants Washburne's advice as to the
time and method Of proposed new de-
parture In the administration which the
recent elections renders necessary.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19

EVERYBODY keeps pegging away at
Ben. Butler, and the Cincinnati Com
nlercidI is moved to say that he is not
likely to have as much influence, be as
much feared, or look half as ferocious
in Congress during the forthcoming
session as he has had, been and looked
for a good many years past.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19

In his first speech since his election
as Governor of New York, Mr.. Tilden
said:
The young men should take part IN
public affairs and in politics, and no
nation, or State, or city can have good
government unless its best citizens
bear a share in its political struggles.
say that politics is quite as honorable
as trade, for 1t is the man and his &C
tons and general character that will
lower OF dignity party warfare, and
not politics which dishonOr or dignity
the man.
Mr.. Tilden does not believe In the
senseless cry of let politics alone The
people must take care of the country.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19

WE are really at loss to know
whether "Gov." Smith, of Arkansas,
be an entity or myth. Sheriff s war
rants cannot find him. If Grant should
decide in his favor, we presume there
would be host of Smiths looming up
as claimants. But Grant persistently
refers his mysterious missives to Attor-
ney General Williams, and if Smiths
chances depend on Williams political
management, we need hardly cite recent
history to prove that his case is in bad
hands. Taken altogether, about the
best thing Smith can do would be to
crawl out of his hiding place and claim
for himself that $1,000 reward offered
by Gov. Garland.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19

OHIO has been suffering for some
months past with drought and field
fires. Now the Cincinnati Enquirer
laltalizes the elect in this style;
THE copious and refreshing rains
which are now moistening the parched
fields and quenching the devouring
flames are attributed to the glorious
Democratic successes at the late cleo
tions. Didn't we tell you SOP"
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19
Boots and Shoes.

B. z. CUTTER. corner Of Broad and College sta
B. n. EATHERLI. 81 N College street.
CHAS. B. HALL, Al n. College street.
JOHN HOLAHAN, . Union street.
Nancy & BRO. SO Church street.
TRECY 4 COYLE, p Union street.
i. x. WINSTEAD 4 CO., n. Cherry sreet-
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19
InsOlVent Notice.

HAVING SUGGESTED TO THE HON
orable County Court of Davidson county
the insolvency of the estate Of Z. W Adams
deceased. persons having claims against the
same will file them at once, properly verified,
with the Clerk Of said Court, or thew will be
barred; and those owing the estate will pay to
the undersigned,
SUSAN c. ADAMS, Adm'x,
or BATE x WILLIAMS, Attorneys.
Dov1Q oaw3t
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19
NASHVILLE
CITY BUSINESS LIST


JOHN LEWIS, Res. Fatherlsnd ST., Edgefeld.
JOHN L. Smith. Cor. Union and COllegs street
over Third N. Bank.
WM. c. SMITH, 1C3 Church ST., St. CloHd Block.
P. ]. WILItiSS0S, Cor. Church and Summer
streets, Lewis Block.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19
Bakers aud Coufectioners.

l. n. ELDRIDGE, 50 Church street
MS exc 6RElG. A Union street
JUNGERMANN 4 CO.. 81 Public square
A. RANNIE. "a Broad and 100 s. Market st.
CHAS. ROBERTSON, a N. Market street.
g. II. VESSEL, 50 n. College street.
w. IS. CURRIN, 295 South Cherry Street.
Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-19
Atfnrnens.nt-L.n,n

L. L. CARUTHERs, Jr, J.. W. BONNER, No.
49, n. Cherry 81.
J. P. JEUP, ONCE s3K Cedar street.
WI. X. MeALIsTER, Jr., IS N College street.
SMITH, B4XTER & ALLISON, No. 8 Porter
Block.