The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1876-09-01
The state Convention.

vile on Aug. 9th, Nearly every
County in the State was repre-
scented. Perfect harmony pre-
vailed on every question. The
Convention decided to make no
nomination by a vote Of 200 to
l27. This was thought wise in as
much as Gen. Nancy was going
TO run, and he will be very ac-
ceptable TO the Republicans
everywhere. The following is
THE PLATFORM:
Resolved. That we reaffirm the
principles Of the platform adopt
ed by the National Convention of
the Republican party at Cincin-
natl in June last; that we most
cordially accept the candidates
there presented to the American
people for President and Vice
President Of the United States,
and that we recognize in the per-
sonal character and political re-
cord of Rutherford B. Hayes and
William A. Wheeler such a ticket
for integrity and ability as has
never before been eXcelled in the
history Of American politics.
Resolved, That we reafirm the
principles and policy of the Re
publican party of Tennessee as
proclaimed by the Republican
Convention Of the State in May
last; that We now as then, express
our distrust of the Democratic
party; and that we regard the
traditions, principles, tendencies
and leaders as alike dangerous
and destructive to the best inter
ests Of our local commonwealth
and the tranquility Of the nation.
Resolved, That we demand the
repeal Of all laws discriminating
between the rich and the poor:
that we are opposed to the pres
ent system Of convict labor as
practiced by the Democracy, as
degrading in its tendencies and
oppressive to the interests Of the
honest, t%oiling masses Of the peo-
pie, and hat we favor the imme-
date repeal Of all odious legisla-
ton, and especially the unjust
and unequal tax laws Of the State.
Resolved, That we aIa opposed
to and emphatically denounce
the policy Of the Democratic par
ty of Tennessee. that has resulted
in squandering our railroads, in
directing the lien the people held
on them for the money expended
for their construction, by and
through which policy the taX-pay-
ers of the State have been de-
frauded out Of more than ten
millions of dollars.
Resolved, That we regard the
conduct of the Tennessee Democ-
racy in collecting a forty cent
tax and then refusing to meet the
interest on the State debt, while
accommodating a fund for which no
legal use has beeH prescribed or
is proposed, as unjust and Gegrad-
ing to the honest taxpayers, and
as furnishing the character OF our
people abroad.
We demand a revision of the
State revenue laws, and a more
lust and efficient enforcement Of
them, so that the collection of all
lawful taxes may be certain and
speedy. The effect Of the present
system is to make the payment
Of taxes voluntary merely; and
the consequence is that who pay
willingly, pay the proportions of
those who refuse to pay at all;
and in proportion as the taxes
levied are not collected, the rate
Of taxation in unjustly and unnec,
essarily increased.
We are in favor of a repeal of
the legislation which levies upon
the merchants of the State a
license tax in addition to, the tax
advalorem on their capital invest
ed. The present system is double
taxation of mercantile capital;
and the consumer pays the tax, as
the merchant necessarily adds it
to the price Of his goods; besides
our conlmerce is crippled, our
merchants being unable to com
pete with the merchants Of other
States who pay 20 such onerous
tay