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

the substance OF our unrepresented and i'm
poverished 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 favorites and when
the control Of the State government was re.
covered by our people, they were threatened
with military government il they pre-.
sumed to question the validity Of the bonds
so issued. We undertook to provide for
these bonds as a part of ourpublic debt. As
Democrats we point with pride to the fact
that since the accession of our party to
power il 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, weare no longer able now to meet
the requirements OF our creditors. The
cost OF all our productions exceeds their
market value. Our mechanics and laboring
people are without remunerative employ.
ment. Our merchants are making no gains.
None are prosperous save corporations, in.
terest takers and money lenders. We
recognize among ourselves wide differences
Of opinion 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 lust occasion for disturbing
that unity which is 80 essential to the com.
plete success OF our party in its great struc.
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
ot the politics OF the State, we de-
care that we are for the submission
to the people Tor their ratification or reiec.
ton at the ballot.bOI, at a separate election,
Of any ad dustment 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 opposed to the levy of any greater tax
upon the people than may be necessary for
the payment of the expenses of the State
government, economically administered.
We demand the adoption of n 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 ii
officers in conformity to the general shrink
age OF values and the stringency OF the
times, and the adoption of "A maximum
standard-all 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, tse mechanic
and the owner,
Resolved, that the prosperity and perpe'
tuity of good government depends on the
intelligence of the people. We therefore
declare that we are in favor OF maintaining
II liberal system of public education, and
We are in favor of perfcctlng the present
school system OF the State.