The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1878-10-17

the substance of our unrepresented and inn
povcrished people by burdensome taxation,
and the issue and sale, at an enormous diS.
count of millions Of bonds, the proceeds OF
which, in great part, were converted to the
private use Of its party fayOrites; and when
The control of the State government was re.
covered by our people, they were threatened
with military government II they pre-
sumed to question the validity Of the bonds
So issued We undertook TO provide Tor
these bonds MS part Of ourpublic debt, AS
Democrats we point with pride to the TACT
that since the accession Of our party to
power it has not created dollar of debt, but
has paid millions upon existing debts. 1t
has steadily reduced the expenses OF the
administration Of the State government
1t has attempted to meet all the obligations
Of the State, lust and unjust BY reason OF
circumstances over which we have had no
control, we are no longer able now to meet
the requirements Of our creditors. The
cost of all our productions exceeds their
market value, Our mechanics and lab0ring
people are without rcmunerative employ
mont our merchants are making no gains
None are prosperous save corporations, IN
terest takers and money lenders. We
recognize among ourselves wide differences
oiopinon AS to the time, mode and measure
of the payment Of our public obligations,
but for the present these differences OF opin'
ion afford no Just occasion for disturbing
that unity which is so essential to the com
plete success of our party in its great strug-
gle for the liberation of the country. We
cordially unite, however, in declaring that
we are opposed to the reputation of the
Just Indebtedness of the State; that we are
IN favor Of an equitable adjustment of our
public indebtedness, but to the end
that this question may be put out
OF tne politics Of the State, we de-
Care that we are for the submission
to the people tor their ratification or relec'
ton at the ballOt.bOY, at a separate election,
of any ad justment OF the State debt which
may be made by the Legislature; and until
such adjustment shall have been made and
ratified by the people, we declare that we
are opp Sed to the levy Of any greater tar
upon the people than may be necessary for
the payment Of the expenses Of the State
government, economically administered.
We demand the adoption of constitu.
tional provision prohibiting the state for
ever from borrowing money and issuing
bonds, except such bonds as may be issued
in compromise of the present debt.
We demand reduction Of the fees Of
officers in conformity to the general shrink.
age Of values and the Strngency of the
times, and the adoption of II maximum
standard--nll fees in excess to go into the
county treasures for the use of schools
We further demand the passage of lien
law which shall be Just alike to the labOrer
in the payment of his wages, tie mechanic
and the owner,
Resolved, that the prosperity and pcrpe'
tuity Of gool government depends on the
intelligence of the people, We therefore
declare that we arc in favor Of maintaining
liberal system of public education, and
we are in favor of perGcctng the present
school system of the State.