Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-07-05
the passage of law creating the Office Of

| their charters forfeited for such InfractiOnS,
so that the State can resume 10 Itself the
mOnOpolieS and exemptions which the pri-
vate owners OF these roads are now enjoy
ing at the expense Of the community. Let
il be made the duty Of such Commissioner
to hear and examine into all complaints
made by private citizens of violations of
law, and commence proper proceedings to
insure forfeiture where such complaints are
well founded. This will ensure such an
observance Of charter rates as 10 afford
much relief, and viii prevent those roads
running beyond the limits of the
State from discriminating, as they now
do, in their rates in favor of cities
not in our State. Prior to the war, such a
commissioner was appointed for the in
spection Of tle banking corporations of the
State, and s,;bSerTed a good purpose in pro-
tecting the people against insolvent :nsti-
buttons.
RAILROAD FENCING, ETC.
A law should be passed requiring rail-
roads 10 keep posted at all stations and de-
pots the schedule of freight and passenger
rates which the charter allows them TO
charge, so that every passenger and shipper,
knowing the distance, could determine for
himself what the proper charges are. Also
a law requiring them TO fence in their tracks,
as well for the safety of passengers as for
the protection of stock. They own the
laud, which has been taken from the people,
in some instances without compensation,
and it is as much their duty to fence their
tracks, as it is your duty, under the law, to
fence your farms. Also, let there be a law
passed requiring them to pay full value for
all stock killed ON their roads, where the
proof is established that they had not their
H. A. ., l.
when stock is killed, upon proof of the
fact of killing and the value Of animal,
they graciously ofIer to paw half the value,
knowing fall well you are compelled to ac-
| cept this unjust and illiberal offer, for if
you 60 TO law you cannot realize any more,
after taking out lawyers fees, etc, etc.
| DANGER OF CONGRESSIONAL. ACTION.
As regards Congressional action to regIl-
late freights, etc, even If il were practical
bic and constitutional, il is not desirable
for farmers to exert their influence to Sc
cure it, under the dangerous claim of right
to regulate interstate commerce. Since
the close of the late civil war the whole
| tendency Of government legislation has
been too mach toward Capitalization, and
this would be an important step in this
| direction, and we should not encourage
| this disposition by inviting such interfer-
ence on the part of the Government with
railroads. Even though it might be for
our immediate gain, we should regret it,
| If / am not greatly mistaken in the view
have taken of the political tendencies of
the day.
COUNTY TAXATION.
In connection with the taxes to which
We are now subjected, resulting chiefly
| from the aid heretofore given to railroads
and n hal. ont ar-uricac 7 ,vo4,II
gest that we should by express constitTI-
tiOnal provision prohibit counties and in
! corpoTated towns from the further use of
their credit, and from granting aid TO any
private corporation. / would favor a CON
stitutiOnal limitation upon the tdrilg pOlc-
e. of the counties for any and all purposes.
It Is not, perhaps, possible to have any sugh
limitation as to State taxation, without
leading to at least partial and practical re-
pudiatiOn, which l do not advocate at all; |
because il would be destructive Of and
IuinOUs 10 the honor and prosperity of the
State, whose integrity and fair name
should be preserved Just as the private citi- |
zen should guard and preserve his, if lac !
seeks lasting, permanent prosperity, and |
the confidence and respect Of hS neighbOrs. |
Let not the farmers, a. ! class who meet |
their private engagements, inaugJIrate the !
reputation of the States honest and Just |
liabilities. The present State taxation is |
NOT THE MOST SERIOUS or ONEROUS BUR |
DEN;
but the county taxes, for general county |
purpOses-for interest on bonds issued to |
railway corporations-for common school |
purposes, etc.
Suppose we had such constitutional pro-
lection and the counties now out of |
ffaar flav~s h..
administration and reforms, the l
effect would lie 10 bling 10 our /
State immigration Of the best quality |
and description, that which L.1ngs /
with II capital for Investment in manufac- I
turing, in mining, in farming, etc. Look /
for moment at the condition Of affairs be- /
low us, la Louisiana, Mississippi, South \
Carolina, and other Southern States: their /
people burdened almost beyond the power /
OF endurance with taxation. resulting from /
corrupt misgOveTnmeut. are already seeking
homes in other States. They VIII come in |
crowds TO orr State-sO central in location. |
50 salubTious in climate, 50 productive in 1
soil and 50 beautiful in scenesy-witl lis |
grand mountains, Jndulating hills and long
valleys, where they too can enjoy political
rights, if we viii only secure 10 them That
protection from oppressive taxation which
b4t lItFt idlltu 10 --t A. l4tlLlt.
Taxes in the old countries Of Europe /
arc the inevitable consequences OF being
too fond of glory but in this country. and /
in Our State, they have resulted in a great
measure from the failure Of the farmers TO /
assert their power in the legislation Of the /
State and general Government.
/ advocate the policy that pure luXuries,
especially those which are more or less
perniciOuS and injurious in their Use, such
IS intoxicating liquors, tobacco, iewelTy,
ect., bear the brunt Of taxation. Sound
political economy would dictate that the
expenses Of government should be derived,
as far rs practicable, from things of this
character, instead Of being imposed upon
the soil and its products. The flOurishing
State Of Pennsylvania dates her prosperity
from the time she relieved her lands from
all taxes. The State revenue system is
most too inquisitOrial to be in accord with
the spirit Of 4 Republican government.
IMMIGRATION.
On this subject j would favor the motto. |
Fetind LeIEte-hasten on slowly. | regard
mere density Of population as an ex-
ceedingly doubtful blessing. Let it not be
supposed that l deprecate the introduction
Of labor, skill, intelligence, industry,
capital. What my judgment does not
uplEOCt Is the Suuucll, rapid. lllulS- |
Criminate importation of mere numbers,
without proper regard to morals, without
proper appreciation of the evils and incOn-
yenienCeS of density of population 20 both
parties in this country, the native born and
emigrant citizens. Our policy should look
TO moral as well as physical health. That
moral political leprOsy, communism, in I'll
its hideous forms would be more fatal 10
the prosperity and welfare Of the country,
to the health and longevity Of the JOGg
polite, than smallpox, cholera and yellow
fever TO the health of the bOdy physical
TIE NEGRO.
Let us 90 slow up grade. Let us seek
and welcome all that will contribute 10 !
peace and good order. The negro, under
the teachings Of the party in power, is fast
becoming worthless rs a laborer. Just /
here permit me to say that one of the great
drawbacks to agriculture i'm this country is, |
that we are paying top prices for negro Ia
Dor aud only getting half work, and this
effected only by the most close attention
and supervision. This coupled with high
protective tariff, keeps us poor indeed.
JURY SYSTEM.
The jury system, especially in the trial
Of civil suits between individual litigants, ;