Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-03-31

ness been intended somebody else
would have been sent.
But how was it with the Legislature
that sent them? There was hardly
man who sat on the majority side in
thatlegislature who had not accepted in
the platform on which they were elect
ed declaration that the bonded debt
was a sacred obligation binding the
State in law and honor Now if they
had intended to act in good faith in
this matter by what course could they
have shown it.
We will say what they should not
have done. They should not have
sent a committee with men on it who
do not recognize the debt as valid and
are opposed to paying it at all,
and their instruction should not have
left the committee without power to
close with a reasonable offer.
Instead of this the committee doubt
less knowing what was expected OF
them) not only took pains from the
first to say that their powers were i'm
tied to receiving and reporting propo-
sails without giving an opinion upon
them, but they did express a very ad-
verse opinion upon both the PROPOSE
tions submitted to them, at least Col.
Savage their chairman did.
But, after all, the opinion of the
committee, ifinoperative one way must
be imperative the other-if they were
not authorized to accept proposition
neither were they authorized to reject
one, so the opinion of Col. Savage in
the matter signifies no more than that
of any other man in Tennessee. The
two propositions of the committee are
now before the people and as we I'M
derstand that the Governor does not
intend to call an extra session till
June, there are left two months clear
for the people to consider the moment
Gus question before them.
We appeal to the public men OF
Tennessee, to those whom the people
have chosen as their political advisers,
have they 10 duties in this matter
During the heated canvass of last fall
the cry of low taxes had so persistent
ly been dinned into the peoples ears
that they were deaf TO all other con-
siderations, and any man who wanted
their votes had to confne himself to
that subject, or to be disregarded OF
even clamored against; but the pas
sions of our late election have N a
measure subsidized, aud the people
could now be approached on somewhat
broader principles than that of mere
retrenchment; the expenditures ofthe
State have been reduced to the lowest
practicable figure, and We have the
word of the Treasurer that the past
due taxes now to be collected will pay
those expenses-on the other hand we
have the offer of the New York com.
mittee to throw off two ffths of the
whole debt so that neither principal
nor interest shall be demanded to ar
extent greater than 5000 for every
81 900 that we owe; ought we not tC
be willing to shoulder it? On the
terms proposed no interest would be
due at all till January l, 1873 and
then only half years interest on the
reduced debt at per cent; the mos
liberal calculations made last fall were
that 81 on the $1,000 would pay the
interest of our debt. and now that i:
reduced by the reduction of the CAPT
tai to 81 20 on the 81 600; and no taxes
for State expenses for the year 1877.
Surely that is a fair proposition t.
90 to the people with: Gentlemen
legislators, senators, in State govern
ment and Congress, judges and lawyers
all you who have been haranguipg the
people heretofore-you have got you
offices now, show the people that yOr
can plead for the honor and prosperit!
of the State as eagerly as you did fol
your own election go round to ever
civil district as you did last October
aud make a last effort in behalf o.
what is not a question of Temporary
arrangement, but final crisis of honor
or infamy.
The people have heard but one side
of this question, you cannot without
personal dishonor refuse now to pre-.
sent and uphold the other.