Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-02-15


anti-Radical citizens OF Shelby county to Sc
| cure the united cooperation of the Liberal
Conservative and Democratic voters thereof,
who desire rigid economy and honesty in the
administration Of county and State affairs
the speedy reduction Of onerous taxes, and
the election Of competent and efficient offi-
cers, regardless of nationality or previous DO
ntical Affiliations; for the purpose of setting
on foot such movement as Will secure har-
mony OF action in the conduct of a liberal,
progressive policy in the approaching cleo
lions; and Iully recognizing that the Demo
cratic party is the only organization now In
existence in Shelby county confronting the
ganization, characterised by a spirit
tempered with nberality and conservatism
these objects and purposes can best be ac-
compiished, and success achieved in the ap-
preaching election, we adopt and promulgate
for our future government the following plat
form of principles. Therefore, be il resolved
First-Fhat Il is the duty of all good citi-
Eens to make a united effort to secure the
most competent and reliable men for office,
that the laws may be executed impsrtially
and the burdens Of taxation be distributed
equally among al classes.
Second-That honesty and economy in our
local government reduction of taxes and ex-
penses, prompt and rigid settlements with
public officers, exposure OF corruption, and
or favor must be enforced.
Third-That taxation should be equal and
uniform, and no one species Of property be
taxed higher than another.
Fourth-That we recognize the equality, be-
fore the law, of all citizens, and that in the
selection of candidates for office, capacity and
honesty shall be the test Of merit, without re-
gard to nationality or former political predi-
lections-
Fifth-That all efforts to array one race or
cl"ss against another is Odious to the genius Of
6 American government, destructive of
l,dblic peace and prosperity, and subversive
OF Republican institutions.
Sixth-That the agricultural and mechaui-
cal interests OF our country are the founda-
tton OF its prosperity, and that wisdom and
Justice demand that these interests shall be
protected against the exactions of rnonopo-
lies, and should be fostered by judicious legis-
lRtion.
SeYenth-That in order to accomplish these
ends a committee be appointed, composed of
one nom each ward in Memphis and one
from each civil district outside of the city,
TO whom shall be committed the management
OF this movement, and who shall select from
their number subcommittee COM
posed of seven members TO be known as the
executive board OF the committee of Shelby
county, clothed with full power to call meet
ings for the selection or nomin alton of candi-
dates, to appoint necessary district or ward
committees, to NIL vacancies in their own
body, and 10 do and perform all other acts
this meeting, and to continue in office until
the meeting OF the next conveRtion.
THE REJECTED RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. EtheTidge thought that the other reSolu-
tions which had been submitted to the COM
the people, then the people could select tie
resolutions that were best suited to their
Mr.. w. W. McDowell-I move that the reso.
lutions be read in the hearing OF this cOnven-
Mr., B. P. Anderson thought the convention
ought first to vote upon the resolutions sub |
mttted by the commitsee. If they did not |
like them then they could vote against them |
and take up the others. He thought how
ever, that the resolutions of the COMMITTEES /
would suit the convention.
Mr.. Etheridge suggested that the resolutions |
placed in the hands of the committee by |
Colonel Topp, be read by the secretary.
Mr.. Anderson said he had no objection to |
Colonel Tops resolutions being read before |
the vote was taken.
Mr.. ]. NJ. Heating said they had no right to |
90 behind the report of the committee after 1
they had committed the resolutions 10 their 4
charge without reading. The proper plan /
was TO take vote on the report and resolu- |
lions of the committee, and if that did not |
suit them they could go back and consider the |
Other resolutions Seridtim.
Mr.. Brearteau-QuestioR! Question! l call /
Tor the question.
General Forrest-Sit down! Sit down! His /
understanding was that they had come to-
sether TO consult with each other. He did /
lot want any one to go away dissatisfied, and
De read. Carried.
Colonel Topp read the resolutions which he
lad submitted to the committee, as follows:
Mr.. ROBERTSON TOPP'S RESOLUTIONS
Resolved By the OoterS Of Shelby county, here
md 'l010 assembled, 'CithoW regard 10 party,
'dTy names party associations or political ante
ette'it, That, in their Judgment, the elections
which are to take place this year Involve the
yital interests of the county and State. and
We believe, therefore, that those at whose in
tance this meeting has assembled, 10 "con-
ider the local and general issues of the ap-
'roachtng canvass, with view to set on foot
och an organization as Will secure harmony !
md the success Of a liberal progressive poll
y" deserve well of the public.
Second-That, in the judgment Of this
Meeting, the great evil of the times is the
'resent exorbitant, oppressive and ruinous
aXation, which is rapidly discouraging and
'araly zing agricultural and niec anical labor; |
thousands whose means and
nergtes were greatly impaired by the war; |
nd producing that wide spread demoraliza- |
ion which inevitably results from an army of |
aX-gathers, clothed with inquisitorial author
" ana the power OF administering such !
'aths eXtortion and cupidity have thought |
,roper TO impose.
Third That, as the productive power of the
tate is mainly in agricultural and mechani-
al pursuits, any rate or system of taxation, |
which discourages or crtpples these pursuits !
II interests, must finally result in ruin to all
abor and capital thus employed; in manifest
injury to all other interests, and in the sure
of private and public morals.
Fourth-That the evils of which we now
omplain are partly traceable to the action of
he present State government, which, with
ut consultation with or authority from the
.eople, whose servants they are, have in
reased the former heavy public burdens un-
er the pretense Of "maintaintng the public
aith and credit OF the state"
FIfth--That, while we do not desire to re-
ect upon the motives of those members of
he legislature and other officials, under
yhoSe auspices the annual demands upon the
tate treasury for annual interest were re-
emily increased more than three hundred
thousand dollars we declare our opinio n that
be legislation by which this deploTable and
nexpected result was accomplished imposed
10 moral obligation upon the people to pay
his large and unauthorized Increase of the
ublic burdens.
Sixth-Thst the events of the war were
uch as to leave the people of the State, at its
lose in no condition TO do more than 10 pay
ne then holders of our public securities what
hey were worth in the public markets Of the
ountry at the termination of the war. And
s the great increase in the debt of The State,
uring the four years succeeding the war, was
he result of despotie government forced
pon the people, and In opposition to
heir earnest protests; and as the pub
10 securities issued during this period
Fere 50 issued under notorious circumstances,
Which rendered them comparatively worth
eSs in the market; it Is the sense OF TINS meet
ng that such securities, II they impose any
moral or legal obligation whatever upon the
,eople of the State, should be discharged by
he payment only of the market value of
aid securities when issued.
SeVenth-That, as an earnest of our sincerity,
fe hereby pledge ourselves, that In the epsu-
hg state elections we will vote for no person
OF governor, or for the legislature, who fails
'T refuses 10 pledge himself to exert all hon
lraDie means to reduce the rate of taxation
OF state purposes, to a sum at least as low as
'WShty cents on the hundred dollars worth OF
AZ &s4aele property; and further that we will
'ose ~ 10 candidate whose character does
10y InIsh h positive assurance that he can
oetther be bought nor sold ''' A '
blshth-1haL our motto in the impandlng
81 ate canvass shall be a low fsxas X aId t66 |
anN aF