Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-17

| sOmetnlng 10 bring US nearer together
something to quiet these differences be-
tween US. 1t has been thought proper and
hest by some members to assemble us in
this way, that in coming together outside
Of the forms and usual surround
dings Of a Legislative meeting we
might as public men confer together as to
what measures are best for the common in
terest. There is time yet to put these
measures through before the session closes.
| We are not merely members Of an isolated
little party, but, on the contrary, our party
has been rapidly advancing to the lead
since the election last November. Our
party has, with a bound, leaped forward
! with an equal degree 10 the control of af-
fairs Of this Union, both State and Ma
tiOnal, with the other party. We haze ore
branch Of the Federal Congress under our
control, and more than hall the States in
the Union are managed in the interests Of
our party. hope that harmony and free
dom Of speech viii characterize our pro-
ceedings, ana that whatever we do may be
prompted by a sole desire to further the
good Of our common State and our com
mon country.
Mr.. Head was appointed secretary, and
the members Of the press present were re-
guested to act as assistants.
Mr.. Adams moved that a committee of
seven be appointed to consider all resolu-
tons introduced, and draft resolutions ex-
pressing the sense of the convention. Adopt
ed, and Messrs. Quarles, Blizzard, Cole,
NOblitt, JamisOn, Bullen and Adams were
appointed.
Mr.. NOblitt offered a resolution that the
finances of the National and State Govern
ments should be the first thing to concern
| Democrats Of Tennessee as well as Demo-
Gratis Of the United States.
Mr.. Quarles said that they might as well
talk plainly and look matters squarely IN
the face as they now were. The question
with him was whether there was a Demo
cratic party in Tennessee CT not; and, if
there was one, how were they going to test
its orthodoxy. The Democratic party had,
| from the begInning-O of Its ex istence, differed
in regard to local measures and in regard 10
State policy. 1t was always required, how
! ever, that there should be s uniformity Of
sentiment in regard TO national policy. 1t
| would be utterly impossible to bring any
party into anything like organization that
! could even exis' four years a. q time, if per
feet accOr6 in regard to local measures and
matters Of State policy was required. There
/ always had been vital differences in regard
I 10 this question.
lie then offered the following resolution:
/ Resolved, that il is the sense of this
| meeting that difference in views as to State
! policy shUuld not be the test Of party or
/ thOdOxy, Jut conformity of views as to ma
| tiOnal policy should, as heretofore, now be
| the test.
Mr.. Adams offered a resolution declaring
| that a tax of sixty cents was necessary TO
maintain the honor and credit Of the State
| In advocating his resolution, Mr.. Adams
said that the people OF the State had been
hearing the public debt Iging in their
| ears ever since the close Of the
war, aud that they now de-
sired that some disposition should be
made looking to the payment Of that debt.
He was Of the opinion that it would re-
Quire at least a sixty cents tax TO pay the
current expenses and interest on the debt.
Mr.. Cole moved that all o. the members
present who intended to cooperate with the
convention be requested to give in their
names to the Secretary.
Mr.. Head said that if it was intended by
the motion to bind him to tie action Of the
caucus, be would withdraw.
Mr.. Cooper was not willing 10 be bound
by any action that the caucus might take,
yet be was q sound and true Democrat.
Speaker Bond said:
Mr.. Chairman-I propose 10 cOnfne my
self, sir. to the motion of ny friend from
Henry. do not suppose that there exists
anywhere in this assemblace, any inten-
tiOn or desire TO bind gentlemen present, to |
its actiOn-whatever that action may be-
But, sir, signed the call for this meeting,
and think it but fair to give every gentle
men in attendance an opportunity to show
mis- appreciation of that call. As for N.Y.
self, sir, l am thankful thai l have the
privilege Of standing once more in a
democratic caucus; for 1 am
a Democrat, clean and straight, |
from the crown Of my head 10 the sole Of
my feet-the mark is on my brow, burned |
deep, and l hope, sir, plain enough to be |
seen Of all men. Firmly and closely the |
lines Of our great party are being drawn all |
over the nation, preparatory to that ire |
mendOus conflict which looms so nearly in |
our immediate front. 1 am glad, sir, and, !
as | said before, thankful to contribute by |
mypresence here tonight, whatever little aid |
may, toward that preparation, for the sake |
Of the stupendous interests involved.
A motion prevailed to refer all the fesO- |
buttons that had been offered and that |
would afterwards be introduced to the /
Committee on Resolutions.
Resolutions were then poured in as
follows:
BY Mr.. Psters-That soma steps should /
be taken by the present General Assembly, |
looking to relief for the people by reducing /
the present rate Of taxation.
By Mr.. Parker-That. as the present |
General Assembly was elected on the plat
form Of Aug. l9, 1874, there is no reason
for departure from it.
By Mi. JOnes-The Democratic party
having pledged itself not tc increase the |
rate Of taxation, it would be acting in bad /
faith with the people to increase it,
By Mr.. Cates-Declaring forty cents to
be the utmost limit to which they, as
Democrats, could 60.
BY Mr.. Or Declaring that the Demo-
cratic party Of the State pledged to main
tain the faith and honor Of tie State.
BY Mr.. Finlay-That the Unlimited DOW
er lodged in the hands Of the State officers
to borrow money is a dangerous precedent.
By Mr.. OrthingtOn-Having been elect
ed on a Democratic platform, they would
not baclslide now and thereby fall from
grace.
By Mr.. HOdges-That forty cents tax
will pay the State liabilities, with, with
careful administration of her finances.
By Hr. Neal That no Democrat is
bound by the a"tiOn of any caucus that
proposes a higher tax than forty cents.
BY Mr.. Mathes-DisapprOv of any
policy that will drive Labor and capital
away from the State and result in the con
fsCation of property.
By Mr.. Rice, Of MadisOn--That, owing
TO the depressed financial condition of the
the people, some measure for their relief
should be adopted.
By Sir. Manufacturing the passage Of
the Local Option bill Unwise and detrimen
tai to the party.
By Mr.. March-That if some financial
relief be not afforded the people, tax Of
twenty-five cents should be agreed upon.
By Mr.. Odell-RecOmmending tax Of
twenty cents, so as to give the people
breathing spell.
By Mr.. Herring-That it would not be
acting in faith TO the people Of Tennessee
to levy higher tax than forty cents.
By Mr. Neal-TO levy a tax sufficient
only to pay the current expenses Of the
State.
By Mr.. TOon-That the Legislature re-
main in session until some bill be passed !