Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-01-15

aECONOMY, A FINANCIAL AGENT.

A free discussion of the financial |
problem is, by no meaps. Objectionable |
when it Is remembered that conflict of
opinion often eIicts truth. Butitshould
not be forgotten, in the meantime,
that wise and rigid economy is an
important factor in the ultimate solu-
ton of our financial troubles, and the
best security against the recurrence of
similar crises in our future history. On
the question OF economy, however, VIC
are met by as many difficulties as seem to
surround the question of fnance-the
same contrarieiy of opinions as to the
how and the where to apply the prun-
ing-hook. All admit the necessity for
economising, but in the absence of
generally intelligent views, in the pres
ence of conflicting interestin the vari-
Gus subjects of reform, it is almost i'm
possible to secure the harmony essen
tial to success. There seems to be a
very general belief that elections are
demoralizing as we'll as expensive, yet
should one suggest that the Governor
should be elected once In four years
and the Legislature for like term, OBJ
jections would be made in many quart
crs, in spite of the undercurrent ofop-
inion that the State might be the gain
or in money and morals, and the ad-
ministration Of justice be improved by
letting the laws remain unchanged by
additionor amendment for period Of
four years. The same result would fol-
lowthe proposition to drag the judiciary
out of the mire of politics and give it
position Independent of popular ca
price and the communicating influences
of ignorance and vice clothed with the
sacred privilege of the elective fran
chise. A large proportion ofour present
voting population welded, as it would
be, by ingenious demagoguery, will
suffice TO defeat any proposed reform
however wise or well guarded against
abuse; so that the work of reform,
except in non essentials, seems almost
like hopeless undertaking.
There is universal cutlery against
the heavy expense of criminal prose
cutions yet without a work house
and machinery for the speedy and
cheap disposal of small offenses, the
obapooc fOr tba ar,4asIv,oo4 - 100,
seem very remote. And when cases
get into the Criminal Court the people
have no remedy against continuances,
mistrials, new trials, appeals, reversals
and the thousand and one quirks and
tricks that have become interviewer
with the system of practice-which
system, by means of legislation and
court decisions, has become virtually a
part of the law itself. Thus entangled
in net work ofspecial pleas, usages and
rrecedents, there is little hope of re-
lief from the burden of court costs I'M
til the people learn to choose Civ
ers with the ability and integrity to
protect their interests. 1t might be
suggested that much may be saved by
reducing the number of Offices in the
county; but to do this requires popular
firmness and intelligence, and as long
rs each man waits for his reighbor to
act, the few will govern the many. That
there is room for great reform, none
will deny; that the people could be
made more prosperous thereby, is
equally true, but if the people collec-
lively, or as Changers, do not set the
ball in motion, it must remain station
airy or roll backwards.