Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1875-04-08
THE FINANCES.
Speechlof the Hon. A. A. Taylor, in the
House Of Representatives..

consideration of this body-being
content simply to cast my vote, and
to remain among that class of Repre-
sentatives upon this floor whom some
Of the papers have chosen to denomi-
nate as 'fgure.heads." But sir, |
cannot sit in silence when a question,
like this, of so grave importance to
my people and to the people OF the
whole State, is presented. The truth
is the resolutions before the House
raise the only question in which the
people are now especially interested.
Much has already been done toward
retrenchment and reform, with q view
Of cutting down expenses ; much, in
my Judgment, that ought not to have
been done, although l approve of the
object. l, like every member here.
favor retrenchment and reform that
zis Legitimate retrenchment and re-
Worm. - j G
But you may go on with your wild
re%trenchment measures you may 90
even 50 far as to lay violent hands
upon those sacred institutions of the
country which have stood the test of
ages, and which have undergone the
criticism Of the ablest jur.st and
statesmen of our own, and other lands
as you have done by your legisla-
ton impairing the rights Of the
masses to trial by jury, simply because
they haze not the means to pay for
ii; you may merge offices, and cut
doWn expenditures of every kind
was about to say you might abolish
the Government itself in your efforts
ut retrenchment, and you will find
thst you cannot, in this way, give the
people that relief which they demand
at your hands you will find that you
cannot avoid the necessity of increaS-
,ing the peoples taxes beyond 40
Jcents on the one hundred dollars if
the interest upon the public debt is
paid and current expenses provided
for. / am sorry to see the distin-
guished gentleman from Davidson
Judge East) taking his stand on the
high.tax side of the question. lie is
agentleman for whom l entertain the
profoundest regard. because Of his
many high qualities as q statesman,
rs a lawyer, and as a man. 1t would
have been my pride and my pleas
mise to. have followed his leadership
in this very grave emergency, if he
had taken the side of the people. /
had 'hoped-and not without good
ground-that he would pursue a diff
erent course from that which he to-
day has marked out. For | knew
that he had cast ffty-two votes for
Andrew acknowledgements great
"Commoner'-who acquired this title
because, upon all great questions,
and particularly this one, he has ever
been the champion Of the peoples
side. The main point fthe Judges
speech this forenoon was to show that
his party, was solemnly pledged tc
paythe interest onthe debt promptly
this would be right if the debt was
legitimate, and the people were in {
condition to pay promptly. So fal
as l am concerned | am responsible
to the people of all parties for tn,
position l hold, and l look at this
question from the peoples stand
point and not from a mere party stand
point. But 4 hold in my hand a copy
of the platform of the gentleman
party, the fourth section of whicl
closes as follows:
What we deplore the existence 0
all Indebtedness, Federal, State
county and municipal, and demand
That no more taxes shall be laid upol
the people than shall be found to b.
essentially necessary for the supper
ofthe State Government, administer
BID on principles Of the most rigi,
economy, and for the payment Of it
tjastdebts and obligations, and 70
the preservation of it's credit an,
honor u~ntarnished, and are therefor
opposed to IN increase Of taIatiOn."
Now, if he finds that in order t
preserve the faith and credit of tn
State" that it will be necessary t
increase the rate Of taxation, | as
the gentleman from Davidsonh how h
will reconcile his vote in favor {
such increase with the plank in tn
platform of his party, which pledge
the people that their taxes shall NJ
BE iacreasedS But, MI. Speaker, thi
rs not a party question. 1t is aquei
7tion between the good people of Tel
nessee and Wall Street, and in a col
test of this kind l am free to So,
perish Wall Street Perish a bonde
%aristocracy! Survive the people
Tennessee Live the country [Al
oplause.
Mr.. Speaker, I had prepared
somewhat elaborate statement of IL
States liabilities. but l will not tax
the time necessary to read it, Ihol
in my hand m estimate made /
Treasurer Morrow. lie says Il
States total liabilities necessary
be paid the current year are $2,65s
592. Ills is the interest on the del
and current expenses, allowing f
oil possible retrenchmeRt. lie SHOW
you that we have. to meet these Ii
bilities, the tax on $3.50, O00, 600 wort