The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-01-07
tighten the burdens Of taxation.
nANKTNa nSsrrruTIoNs.

lAgnbSn the burdens OF BaXaGiOD.
BANKING INSTITUTIONS.
But if all out State debt were removed
unless we had other measures of relief
we would scarcely feel the benefit. We
need an increase in the value of eurren-
cy and we need Banking Institutions
which will furnish accommodations to
the producing classes-the mechanics, |
manufacturers and farmers of the coun- |
try. The present Banks only lend
money to merchants, traders and specu-
lators in cotton and other farm products.
am not objecting to them on this ac-
count. They are the best judges of
their own business interests. We how
ever need Banks that will furnish ac- /
cOmmodatiOns to farmers and other pro- /
duceFs upon six months time when well
secured. This will increase greatly the
productions of the country by enabling
the farmer to cultivate well their farms
and manufacturers TO run their factories
In what manner these Institutions shall
be organized it is for practical men to
determine after thorough examination
of the various plans presented What
we need is currency which VIII benefit
the laboring and producing classes by
furnishing employment, can not / think
be denied. The State Bank of Tennes-
see before the war was just such an In
stitution as the country needed and had
there been no war would have been
great success. Whether it is practical
bic to establish such an institution now
admits Of grave doubts, but that some
thing Of the kind is needed scarcely adj /
mits of doubt. Another remedy for
existing evils is a thorough change in
OUR SYSTEM OF AGRIcULTURE.
We must learn to raise our own sup
plies and have our cotton as a surplus
crop. When this is done we can have
better chance to improve the land and
cause il to produce more each year by
thorough and deep tiIlage. The expe-
rience Of the last two years has shown
that where land is well broken up and
even subsoiled in the fall it stands wet
or dry season better than under the
system Of imperfect cultivation SO COM
mon in this country Experience is Of
ten a bitter but always a wholesome
teacher. Win we profit by its lessons
The condition of affairs at this time
should induce all men to afford as much
indulgence as possible to their debtors,
to aid and assist each other in these times
of peculiar trouble and distress. We
are in the habit of looking too much to
legislation when many of the remedies
lie within ourselves and are not depend
ent upon legislation or political induce
ments.
THE PENITENTIARYs
Our Penitentiary system should un-
dergo a thorough change. The number
of feloDies should be decreased by in
creasing the grade. Many cases now
tried by Criminal Courts should be tried
speedily by Magistrates, and cOnvicts
whether IN the Penitentiary OF punished
in the counties should be made to work
upon the public roads and not be taught
mechanical trades. l will not however
discuss these questions at length, for
feel confident our Legislature which
meets to-day will give them the greatest
attention, and will perfect a system
which will rebound to the credit OF the
State and to the best interests of the
people.
CAUSES OF HARD TIMES.
has it never occurred to you that the
effort on the part of prominent men to
depreciate our credit by advocating a
non payment Of our debts has had the
effect to make times much harder in the
country than they otherwise would be.
Destroy our State credit-ereate the i'm
preston that we are unwilling to meet
our obligations, and the whole business
interests of the country including farm
ing, manufacturing and mechanical, feel
the bad effects and suffer in proportion
to the destruction of our credit. Let us
create the impression that we are will
ling to pay-let us establish our credit
upon a firm basis and then in times like
these we can get indulgence from our
creditors whether 81 ate or individual.
Another cause of "hard times" is the
disposition to croak and complain.
This destroys confidence and causes men
to hold on to their money through fear
that times are going to get worse. The
constant cry of "haTd times'' tends to
make money more scarce and to prevent
its free circulation. There might be
millions of dollars in the country and if
it did not circulate it would do very lit
tie good. Restore confidence by lib
eral policy and this will cause a free
circulation of the money now here and
will thus afford great relief. The cry of
"hard times" is like panic in an army
1t causes needless alarm and creates
real danger which would be avoided by
a bold course.
have purposely avoided any allusion
to mere partisan politics because the
questions concerning State affairs are,
at this time, the most important to us
and should be considered without any
reference to any mere partisan feeling.
BRIGHTER DAY.
In the midst of the clouds which now
envelop us there are signs of a brighter
day approaching. The breadth of land
sown in grain gives assurance of album
dant food crops this year, and if you
farmers will still continue to SOW grain
spring wheat and oats-and will not
plant any land in corn, cotton and to-
baceo but what you have prepared well,
although you have fewer acres in cultiva-
ton you will have much more abundant
and profitable crops.
The ''hard times" will force economy
and yon will be compelled to rely upon
your own farms for your food and for
age instead of taking all your money to
send abroad for these things. Hook for
much more prosperous times in Tennes-
see next fall than you have seen for
years if you will be wise and prudent
and be not too easily discouraged.
thank you most kindly for the man
ifestations of your confidence and al
though 1 will probably never be before
you as candidate for any Office, l will
cherish a warm recollection of your
kind expressions. In the language of
Rip Van Wrinkle let me now say,
Here's very good health to you and
your families; may they live long and
prosper"