Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-06
REFREECHHEEF AND THE RATE
OF TAXATION.

That we oppose all mOnopolies, rings
and combinations formed for the op-
preston Of the people; that we are for
the abolition Of all useless and unne-
cessary Offices; for the proper reduction
OF all excessive salaries; for the most
rigid economy in the administration Of
the State Government; for all necessa-
~ reforms IN the law so as to make its
execution speedy, Just and certain; that
we Will hold the collectors of revenue
to a strict accountability IN the colLec-
ton and application Of said revenue;
that we deplore the existence Of all in
debtedness, Federal, State, county
and municipal, and demand that no
more taxes shall be laid upon the peo-
pie than shall be found to be essenti-
ally necessary for the support Of the
State government administered on
principles Of the most rigid economy,
and for the payment Of It's Just debts
and obligations, and for the preserva-
ton of its credit and honor untarnish-
ed, and are therefore opp sed 10 an in
crease Of taxation.
Such is the language of the fourth
resolution of the platform adopted on
the 18th Of last August, and to which,
as foreshadowing our State policy. the
Democracy stands i~rrevocably pledged.
1t opens with a demand for the most
rigid r~etrenchment in everydePartment
Of governmental administration, with
the view to the payment Of ali just
debts and obligations, without any in
crease of taxation. The views of Gov.
Porter, whom the people elected on this
platform by the largest majority ever
accorded a Democratic candidate in
Tennessee, are clearly and ably shown
in the following extract from his mes
sage to the Legislature:
The attention Of the Legislature is
called to the necessity Of making pro-
vision for the interest on the State
debt, andf for the necessary ]apprODria-
ton to meet the current expenses of
the State Government. It is too late
to discuss the wisdom Of the policy
under which this debt was created, but
how to preserve the public faith and
credit without an increase Of the pub
lie burdens, is the question of the great
est concern to the taxpayers; the rate
of taxation cannot be increased with
out inhictIng IrrepaTablg injury upon
the people. and while this fact cannot
be questioned 1t must be understood
thar the people Of Tennessee viii never
repudiate the legitimate debt Of the
State. The question was fairly pre-
scented o them during the late canvass,
aud they pronounced against it. They
know that Reputation does not pay a
debt; that 1t does not discharge the
debtor; that it does not modify a debt
so that it is not always binding In law
Is well as in morals, and that it adds a
sort of disrepute to acknowledged in
ability" but while the Of the
people will not consent to the infictiOn
of this stain which we ought to feel
worse than a wound, - there is an I'M
perative necessity for a prompt reduc-
ton in the expenditures Of the State
Government. If this is done, no doubt
can exist of the ability of the State to
meet promptly all its obligations.
Three several facts are recognized
with equal emphasis by the Democratic
State platform and the Governors mes
sage, namely: /. That the State gov
ernment must economic in all its
branches, because, ?. We must meet
our Just obligations, and, 8. Our peo-