The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-08-17
Letter from T. A. Blair, Esq

JACKSON, Tenn. 4 ug. y, 1876.
Messrs Editors:-
GENTLEYEN:-I see from your last
issue, that in speaking of the speech l
made before your County Convention
on the 9Th inst, you take the ground
that my ideas in regard to the State
debt point to reputation. 1 do not
think, gentlemen, you desire to do me
an injustice, and to show you that l am
not in favor of Reputation, l write you
this letter, 10 " hich [ will endeavor to
restate the position taken by me in the
speech above mentioned, and give you
briefly my platform. l am not in favor
of reputation; but [ am opposed to in
and all agree with me in saying that forty
cents on the hundred dollars, the pres
ent rate, is not sufficient to pay the cur
rent expenses of the State government
and the interest on the debt. Then Why
do we coatinue the present rate? Sure
ly we do not put it at the present rate
just for the fun of the thing. Forty
cents is either too much or too little, and
as the object IS to pay the intere3t,if the
object is not accomplished then the reas-
on for the present rate falls to the
ground. Thinking this way, l am then
opposed to the present rate Of tayation,
and in favor of reducing to an amount
only sufficient to pay the current expense
es of the State, and the interest on that
part Of the debt which was created in
the interest of our schools, and certain
charitable institutions, and which is on
ly very small proportion of the State
debt.
Since 1 was in Bolivar, the State Con
vention has met, nominated candidate
for Governor, and promulgated the plat
form of the State Democrats party.
support the nominee of the party, and
stand upon the platform, and that plat
form does not commit the party to the
present rate of taxation. 1t expressly
says, the present rate of taxation shall
not be increased. Fixes the maximum
but not the minimum. 1t says we shall
not increase the taxes, but does not say
we shall net decrease, and if elected to
the Senate, l shall do that which my own
convictions teaches me to be right, and
which the great to1y of tho tax payers
desire; work to decrease the present
rate eff taxation to an amount only suE
fcient to pay the current expenses cftAe
| State and the interest on the bonds
spoken Of above. The real reputation
lists, are those who favor an increase in
taxation, as by that means the people
will be driven to desperation, and will
fly to reputation to escape the greater
evil of being crushed to death by tax
alton. l am opposed to making any
provision to pay the bonded debt, with
the exception above poir ted out,) and
then our creditors seeing our crippled
condition will propose a fair compro-
mise, which we will be In a condition to
accept Providence, it seems, has been
against as, fer we have failed in the
crops, the people are poor ana in debt,
then let not those who should be our
friends in distress, urge the payment Of
the interest on the State debt. The con
struction, | place upon the platform,
| that 1t permits US to decrease the present
rate of taxation, Is shared by the dele
gates Of this county, with whom | have
/ talked, AID if this construction is not
placed upon it there is danger that the
/ m ha hsaFa IN, ACva,.h,- !
against this ali good Democrats should
work, Respectfully,
T. 8. BLAIR.