The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1874-10-29

politicians 60 before the people, eager
10 bid for power, regardless OF the
means to he used in attaining it
Hence tempests are often raised in tea
pots, from which good to the people
can no. come. Congress certainly has
the power "te regulate commerce,
and III was o candidate To-. Congress
/ think | could discover some pan to
remedy the evils complained of; but ]
can sec no remedy in the State Lesls
%Iature, because railroad charters are
contracts entered into by the State on
one hand and the companies vi the
other. II they do not violate their
charters, they cannot be interiered
with, as | am now inclined to think,
If they do, take them to the courts fer
redress, as you would your neighbor
who violates law or his solemn con
tracts. There is q law now on your
statute books making the violation OF
their charters q pisdcmcanor,' and
for the first offence subjects them to n
fue Of $500, and for the second $1,000.
What better law do you want than
this? If this is not enforced against
railroads that transcend their chartered
limits, it is the fault Of the courts, and
not the Legislature. The Constitution
of Tennessee, and of the United States,
positively prevent "the passage OF any
law inpairing the obligations OF a con
tract" Hence, l can see no good in
State legislation to regulate freights,
the only effect of which will be useless
litigation. Hoping that l am under
stood on this question, l will pass to the
PUBLIC SCHOOL ISSUE.
| vsted for the present school law
while a member Of the 3Sth General
Assembly. ! did not then, neither do
now, endorse all its provisions, but
it was the best thing | could get under
the circumstances-hence my support.
AS there is only about $3.50 TO each
child, l am opposed to the repeal OF
any part of the law from which revenue
for school purposes is derived, If the
finances of tue country were in a more
prosperous condition, | would favor an
increase of the school fund but l am
content to let the matter rest as it is
for the present. would be pleased to
see the law executed with less expense,
If it can be done efficiently, and such
an amendment made to it as will in
sure q more satisfactory blending OF
public and private schools tor the con-
venience and welfare Of such localities
as desire u union Of such school Inter.
csts. l am pledged to the great doc
trine Of public education, because | be-
lieve ali the children Of u State can be
partially educated as cheapl.y by OBJ
serving q well. regulated system, as
half Ear by private enterprise. Hence
the propriety Of public schools.
The pcrpetuity and prosperity of
this country, with its diversified inter.
ests. depend on the virtue and intelli.
gsnce Of the masses of the people.
Education increases the productive
capacity Of men and women, and in
creascs the attractive force of a com
munity. A general dissemination OF
knowledge stimulates q laudable ambi.
ton among the masses, and enlarges
the circle of ideas, and furnishes the
KEY to q vast multitude of phenomena
in nature and society, an ignorance of
which is unfortunate in a republican
government. Hence, l am decidedly
partial TO the State extending to every
child the meager charity Of knowing
how to read and write. Should the
pending Civil Rights bill become a
law, it is useless for me to say the
present school law will be killed by q
wise provision of the State Constitution
which positively prohibits mixed
schools.
/ am anxious to cooperate with
members of the Legislature in
aging good citizens to come to Ten
nessce. but expenditures for this pur,
pose must be limited and judicio usly
guarded.
In seeking more and better labor, it
would be unwise to throw the cable tow
to Asia, Africa or Australia. Tennes-
see needs laborers who car and will
exercise muscle under the guidance Of
cultivated brain. She needs members
ofthe great Caucasian family, who have
a religion and a literature, who cult
vate fields, build cities, conduct com,
nerce and stand at the helm of all
great enterprises known 10 the world;
men who will anchor themselves to our
soil, and identify themselves with the
diversified interests Of our State. She
needs only a home-seeking, a home.
protecting and q home-embcllishing
citizenship. l would he pleased to see
such material come to our State, to aid
II people in promoting agricultural,
mechanical and commercial prosperity.
l would be gra,itied to see more skill
ed labor and capital come to Our State
to aid in developing the abundant re.
sources with which she abounds.
But | must close. There are other
in the canvass l can not reach
in this letter. Should l be elected, |
no special pet measures to pre-
sent. l fully realize the condition Of
our people. 1t is apparent to all, that
: times are hard" Many good men
have been induced to look for relief
legislation. have but little faith
a any such relief. Enterprise, industry,
and economy on the part Of our people,
COUPLED with the blessings Of Heaven,
nav nrinu roliof hnt I,u;,l,t;on ,I...