Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-07-22
COUNTY CONVENTION ON STATE
CREDIT.

tendantupon the two great national con-
ventions has unavoidably Withdrawn
public sentiment in a great measure
from State politics. and there are rea-
sons why we have been tempted to wish,
that the mOmentous questions to be
decided in our next State Legislature
could be set aside and held in reserve
till the still more momentous presi-
Dental election shall be decided.
For, hopeful as we deem the cause Of
the Reform party in the coming strug-
gle for the national supremacy, we can
not blind ourselves to the fact that
it will be very difficult so to conduct
our State controversies as not to preju-
dice the action of our people and dis
tract their efforts in the national con-
test. Men who are keenly combating
one another in one struggle can with
difficulty be brought in to cooperate
with zeal and energy in another; and
there is a still more dangerous result
which may ensue from the nature of
the points at issue between US, which
is that the verysuspicion of our sound
ness as to the discharge of our State
obligations, which this controversy is
calculated to bring about, is a grave
obstacle in the way of those who
would be disposed to befriend US in
the north. For this is the way in
which men of that section will be GER
tain to reason on the question. Tennes-
see has now more completely than any
Southern State succeeded in releasing
herself from radical predominanee;
which means the predominsnce of a
northern policy effected through the
negro vote over our special interests as
southern men. Tennessee is therefore
narrowly watched by those who are in
terested in eonjecturing what the
South would do if the same Liberation
could be effected throughout. What
she does or seems disposed to do, it is
inferred all,would do if they could, and
the hghtest whisper of Reputation
chills in an instant the warmth of
reconciliation which seems otherwise
so hopefully kindled in the present
day. Radical or Democrat it makes no
difference there, this one thought sets
mems faces as flint against US. Once
let it seem that Reputation is the
purpose of even a strong minority
among us and it will be inferred that
the whole South would repudiate too;
and not only repudiate it's State debts
but inaugurate a policy in the nation
al counsels tending towards the same
result as regards the national debt.
Once let this impression gain ground
In the north, and good bye toall hopes
of a Democratic President or Congress,
good bye to home rule in the south
ern States, and long renewal of lease
to carpet-bag supremacy.
We therefore enter upon our pres
ent subject with deep sOlicitude, and,
if possible, would as we before init
mated postpone it's consideration alto
gether. But it is clear that this can
not be done. On the very same day
onwhich our electoral vote is to be cast
in the Presidential election, we have
to elect a governor and legislature,
who will determine the financial poll
cy of the State for the next two years,
so that we cannot postpone the one
policy to the other; State questions will
necessarily be discussed for the ensuing
four months, at the same time and in
the same meetings with Federal poll
tics, and in a great measure by the
same men. We hare no choice there
fore, but to take up the subject, and in
this article we shall endeavor to ascer-
tain how the question of State fnan-
ciaI policy is affected by the dis
trict and county conventions which
have recently been held in this part
of the State.
On referring to our official report OF
the Convention last week, we find one
thing noteworthy and that is, that
whatever wild talk we may have had
outside, no one who spoke in the Con-
ventiOn avowed himself as a repudia-
tor, nay more, every man, whatever the
policy he might urge, thought it neces-
sary to premise that he was in favor OF
maintaining the credit of the State.
Without denying that there are men in
the county who are opposed to meeting
the State obligations, we look upon IT
as healthy sign that no man avowed
II in our county convention, and that
those who spoke or acted found il
necessary to adopt an opposite posi-
ton.
What then was the controversy
about ? for it is admitted there was a
controversy. We can only answer by
restating the resolution of the conven-
ton and the amendment offered:
Resolved, That in the administration
of the affairs of our State government
every unnecessary office should be abOl-
ished, every unnecessary expenditure
should be avoided, all possible econo-
my should be practised and no greater
tax should be cOllected thanis required
for the the payment of the absolutely
necessary expenses of the State, and
the prompt payment in future of the
interest upon the public debt, and all
questions as to the validity of the out
standing bonds should be referred to
the decision of our courts.
Amendment offered by Mr.. J. P
Rogers
Resolved, That while we favor the
maintainance of the State credit, we are
utterly opposed to any further increase
off the rate of taxation for State pur-
noses; but If after an honest admin.
istration of the State government the
presept rate of four mills on the dol
lar should be found insufficient for all
legitimate purposes, then we are in ia
vor Of extending it not more than one
mill additional, and one mill only tol
State purposes.
On the surface it does not appeal
what is the point at issue between thes'
two conflicting resolutions, but brie
statement will make it manifest. Those