Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-16

who would prefer to see corn 90 back 70
where it was, before we had railroads. n
twenty cents a bushel, and might see that
marching backward was the best way to
make our people rich. know there are
some to W ON mails, railroads and tele-
graphs bear the evidences not Of the pro-
gress Of the age, but Of new era which
they have not the energy and industry to
appreciate. The days Of old are constantly
revived with all their memories, when corn
was about twenty cents a bushel, and
whisky five cents a drink. The road wagon
and the market cross roads were great ele-
ments Of value. Capital stocks and fran
chises were not elements of value much.
then, and as for gross earnings they were
frequently carried in the heel Of stocking.
l say there are men who look back to these
days as the worlds prime, and to whom
the wealth and resources Of the State are
but unmeaning terms.
But the men Of Tennessee who have
built up her fortunes, and planted her
hopes on the high plane Of progress and de-
yelopment, do not belong to this class of
dTones. They do not want corn back at
70 cents, but up to S1.20 per bushel, that
the lands Of the State may become more
valuable; and that they may bring in a
stronger wave Of capital to open
up your great resources. It is
to men Of broad views, and
bright hopes, who will look forward to the
progress we make in a world that is in mo-
ton, and to whom the days of the olden
time are as far in the past as was the trans
TrrfqffO hrr Nrrafor, -,
our remote ancestors, away from the primi-
tive road wagon and cumbersome stage
coach which preceded the advent of the
IRON horse; and no doubt but that some in
those days Of coed, broad roads looked
carelessly and sighed for the memories Of
e)WpIths and ponies, they were so cheap
aud convenient, and they were not bothered
with mOnOpOlies nor taxes. To the live
men OF The day l appeal to roll on the
wheels Of progress; don't let them run
back; and if we but protect by Just laws
the capital that makes US all rich, we will
live to bear the blessings Of our own time
and the gratitude Of pOsperity.
And, gentlemen, permit me in conclusion
to say that the practical working of YOUR
attempt 70 impose this tax win be a failure.
and the offer made by the corporations
when known TO all the people, will be IN
derstOOd as liberal and more than the law
could really impose. Let US sum I'D the
case: On the one hand you get into the
State Treasury, without expense, about
$4,000 annually, tCith right Of Increase on
business. On the other, you get lawsuit
for several years on hand, to settle the
question involved before the Supreme Court
OF the United States; finally, attended with
the expenses Of the litigation. Some men
IN the cities would, Of course, oppose the
payment Of taxes to the State, and vet
let US see how much they would make BY a
war on Railroads: The corporation to build
up these cities, keep on hand at their shops
a large force, and the supplies and expen-
dltures are very heavy, eXhausting a large
Of gross earnings. Do cities
suppose that We could not on ouI own cars
our materials to a place outside,
and sell out the real estate, and thus
free ourselves Of their city taxation?
Would the little incorporated towns
On our routes impose these burdens
with the expectation Of our not
passing on and establishing q depot where
such taxation did not prevail? And as for
gentlemen, the counties laying on
DIR property its hands for unjust taxation,
would pay such increase on freights as such
legislation would make necessary on all its
shipments from that county, and thus we
might illustrate the principles of retribu-
live justice. In cases Of various and daily
We could make the public paw
back what you propose to exact, legally and
airly, and do not suppose that your p0trer
extends TO prevent our pOlCer, which, with
n our charter, is just as potential as yours.
Corporations are generally the servants Of
he public, but this does not mean they are /
nenial servants; the highest public officials |
ire but servants Of the people in the same
iense. Our rights do not depend upon
Of higher power anywhere, and our |
obedience to the public interest is not the |
ilctate Of any legal subserViency.
Corporations, gentlemen, are made up |
rom the body Of the citizens, and our ele-
nents Of strength are found in our organic |
.cts.
Believing that what we propose is
taxation, we are not disposed |
o let any other class bear any greater bur
lens TO the public veal than we, and we |
make the proposition in good faith and |
With honest purpose, but if the majority of |
AS @S-AoAtANuAG IAAlAh " Z OuEuL 10 DEAR q Il
anger burden, and that our capital ought |
o be made the subject Of city and county
we are law abiding, and when |
h6 law says we must pay it after investi-
alton before the highest courts in this /
oqntry, we will, Of course, pay it, and put 1
ur house in order, and mag be forced 10
x our shops and personal property in some
ounty on the line where the enlightened /
Of just public policy prevails.
81 reason prevail, and Justice will be
one.
There are at least two cities in the State
bat seem TO appreciate railroads, for, with
population Of only ten thousand each,
hey lately donated, in cash, sixty thou
aud dollars, and the other one hundred
thousand dollars, to induce a railroad to
1cate shops within their corporate limits.
l thank you, gentlemen, and if L have
llked plainly, you must pardon me; for,
)metimes, in cases Of sickness, plain talk
necessary to save the patient.