The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1876-06-01
NUN. %.

ficials. We had as good or better
system % or 80 years ago with
much less money and less than one
third the expense. The district di-
rectors employed the teachers, num-
bered the children and reported
them to the County Court clerk, and
he reported to the State Treasurer
who distributed the money and paid
1t over to the County Trustees, who
paid over the same to the teachers
upon the order of the district direc-
tors. Settlements were annually
made by the County Trustees with
the County Court clerks, and re
corded in books kept for that pur-
pose, and it was never any trouble
Tor any person desiring information
in relation TO the same to get it by
calling on the County Court clerks,
and all at an expense of about one
per cent. Now, how is it? We have
a State Superintendent at salary
of S3,000-enough to buy in seven
of our State bonds which would
reduce our public debt $7,OOO-the
interest on which is $420, all of
which might be added to the school
fund. We have about or near 100
county uperintendents at salaries
ranging from about 500 to $1,000,
and some 81, 800; district treasurers
at salaries ranging at from about
$40 or Sl2 to some S25 or $50 or
more, and often we cannot tell head
or tail about it, and teachers in
many cases are kept out of their
pay for their services for twelve
months or longer, after their ser
vices have been rendered. 1t is
nonsense to talk about having
schools without money, and there
is but one way to get it, and that is
by a tax either direct or indirect,
and the people are the best judges
of their willingness or ability to
pay. So I would prefer that what
ever tax may be levied should be
direct, and then the people would
understand it, and have the same
more under their control, and even
then under proper restrictions.
With plenty of money and good
I NAAHbAf fN0 hAAGCbOlS VIC NOuAAA ulW alh ,
have good schools; without the
money, we cannot have them. The
country would be better off if we
had less theory and more that is
practical.
Lastly, 1 viii speak of the cleo
tion of United States Senators, and
will say that they ought to be good
men and true, sound on every ma
tional question and in accord with
the political sentiments of our peo-
| Pile; ought not to belong to any ring
or clique, and ought to be thor
oughly identified with the interests
of the people of our State, and the
masses of the people; no tricksters
or wire-workers, and especially
ought they to be sound on the fl
nancial and currency questions.
J have no prejudice against bonds oil
bond holders, but do not think they
are any better or entitled to any
more consideration than other peo-
pie; think they ought to contribute
their fair proportion to the support
of the State and National govern.
ments, and ought not to have any
exclusive privileges. Neither have
] any objections to banks or bank
ing on proper principles, but the
credit OF nearly all of the currency
of the country is based on the cred
it of the government. and when the
government can furnish the people
with as much currency as the bust
ness wants of the country require
and at a very trifling cost, [ cannot see
the justice in letting the bond-holderl
. furnish it, and at the same time receive
interest on their bonds, when the gov,
! eTnmeRt could GRrR1sh ga goad or q bet,
| ter currency without interest. II CAPT
, talists wish to bank on proper principle;
let them bank, but grant them no eX.
elusive privileges. 1t is the duty of the
government to foster the interest Of al
classes, but it ought not to grant eXclu'
sive privileges to any. Any currency
is good enough that Will pay our taXei
or any debt we owe, and that viii pay
for anything we wish to purchase, anC
it seems to me that we ought to have
that which is safest and can be furnish
ed at the least cost to the people anC
government. Further on this question
l think that every step towards resump
tion will have a tendency to reduce tn
volume of currency, and thereby maxi
money still scarcer, and to that exten
! still further depress the price of labor
I produce and property, and operate op
t pressively on the poor and debtor class
, es, and no doubt ruin many of them
and for these reasons think it would b
unwise and impolitie 10 undertake re
sumption at this time. Whenever 10 !
P undertaken it ought to be gradual ant
f slow. ] have now given my view
/ on all of the most important question
, and measures which will engage the at
tentiOn of the next General a bly
If the people like my views and are vii
s ling to accept my services / am Willing
+ to serve them, but If they prefer the ser
vices of some other man, 1 am Willing
p, | for them 30 have their choice. In con
: clusiOn / will say that l was raised Il
the county of Lawrence on the farm
Y had no wealthy relatives or friends 4
= aid me in my undertakings, but had Il
s make my way through the world main
=, ly by my own energy and toll, aided b.
the smiles Of Heaven, but always ba
the confidence and support OF most O
l. the best men in the country who knew
D me best, and have held many offices o
f trust and responsibility, and think ca
q say without the fear of successful con
? tradictiOn that l have never yet betray
Gu al u A1b &c bto@A IL AAAs DN NAAG FeH
J. pie, and refer them to my past life as th
a best guarantee for my fidelity TO an
trust which they msy feel disposed Z
q confer upon me in the future. ] hav
! had a long experience and extensiv
= / opportunities to become acquainted wit
the wants Of the people, and fair oppoT
, tunities To become acquainted with tn
G affairs Of the government; think TIA
q man who Is best acquainted with tn
!, wants of the people and knows bes
what changes are needed in the laws G
: the country can represent them bes'
! Study your own interest and the inter
7 est Of the country, and be true to your
q selves and your country. The peOpl
have the power in their own hands, an
/ by q proper exercise Of the ballot ca
{ correct all abuses in the government
{ IL Is painful 10 see any man max
e merchandise Of his vote, and for som
a paitry consideration vote against hi
) own better informed judgment. II
: no use 10 talk about sustaining the cred
L it Of the State as long as you cOntinu
:, 70 send wild, reckless, headlOng, short
z. sighted and inexperienced men 20 ia
o Legislature. You must send men VIII
!, know your wants, and will be true &
your Interest Those entrusted wit
( the control Of the affairs Of the govern
ment ought to look after the interest o