The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1877-12-06

by this process they have made their bonds
and money worth two or three times As
much as at the close of the wars Here is
a strange Inconsistency. The State bond
holders, who are now offering thier bondsto
the State at 40 per cent. discount have BY
their manipulations made their bonds
worth two or three times az much as az the
close of the war" and that they have con-
trolIed both houses of Congress ever since
the war" and yet this control has resulted
in dcpreciating the State bonds to half their
face value Mr. Manson will have TO re-
consider his logic, but ''to such extremitics
have come at last" ooh, what a tangled /
web We weave, when first We practice to de |
ceive." The fact is, Bfr. Editor, our State I
bonds were issued in great measure for |
internal improve mcnt, the State endorsed /
these bonds to prevent their sacrifice and
placed them on the market to aid in build /
ing our railroad system and other improve
ments, thereby having greatly improved
and increased the prosperity of our people.
The State did exactly what we of the South
and West are now asking Congress to do
for the promotion of the Texas Pacific road
and which our people everywhere think
Congress ought to do. These State bonds,
endorsed and guaranteed by the State, went
upon the market at near their par value
were considered the best Of securities, we're
bought by aid of our courts as investments
for widows and minor children, by institu-
tions of learning and capitalists everywhere
and large quantities are to-day held not
only in Hardcman county, but in other
parts of the State by the original owners,
who invested in Tennessee securities be-
cayIse they were the best and would hardly
have been considered disreRutable for own
ing. The State has their money and to-day
they are told by the representative of Har-
deman county, with contemp.uouB tone,
that they are responsible for the hard times,
and stigmatized as "monicd aristocracy,"
who are grinding the people under the bur
den Of their bonds. lie asks, Shall we and
our children after us be hewcrs of wood and
and drawers of water for these men for
ever" Let me reply, Shall we and our
children after us be branded with iufamy
forever, which We Will be, if this manner of
treating grave question is caTried-te its
natural fruition? We admit that poverty
| Is dreadful and the hard times are severe,
but poverty in rags Is more cndurable than
dishonesty, though rolling in luxury and
wealth. We are not now discussing ques-
ZION of temporary policy; it is not only for
/ to-day that the results of this issue is to eff
! feet us, but for all time the fair name Of
Tennessee, which has eyer shown bright
among the brightest on the roll of honor of
American States, but be Swallowed by the
remcmbrauces of this ignoring OF honesty.
4 this time serving policy, and the passions Of
| to-day, like the rash act Of young indiscrc-
/ ton are to haunt us through life. Our rep
| rcseutativc again enters a complaint
/ against Gov. Porter because his call does
! not contemplate the referring OF this subject
1 to the people. How &C I'D Gov Porter know
{ if it WAS the will Of the Legislature to refer
it to the people? He might most naturally
and reasonably have concluded otherwise
for this is a matter peculiarly within the
/ legitimate discussion of the law-making de-
partment of our government, and it seems
| like shameful effort to shirk responsibility
to refer the settlement of it to a popular
vote. This disposition to get out of rcspon-
sibility on the part OF legislators is an evil
dence of their own want of conviction Of
their duty, and in keeping with the COM
plants being made toward others who differ
in opinion wIh them about the question to
be settled. They would enjoy the honor,
but dodge the responsibility OF Legislators,
thus getting rid of this troubles The writer
docs not discuss his own plan OF adjustment
Suffice il to say, he regrets that the State
has not suggested a better com promise than
fifty cents on the dollar and four per cent
interest, or il sixty cents, then four per cent
interest, and the writer believes this can yet
be effected, but ii is not manly or statesman,
like to question the consideration of these
bonds after We have repeatedly recognized
and promised to pay them-or to indulge in
abuse, and under the guisc of honesty throw
insinuations of base motives, and vitupera
tive abuse at our public credito-. let the
= legislature meet, and with caImncss anc
dignity-laying aside prejudiees and pas
sions-show by their deliberation purpos'
TO protect the interest both of the pcopl,
: and the creditor, and thus maintain thu
honor nd credit of our people and the fai