Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-07-07
THE GUBRRNATORIAL CONTEST

Promises to be more interesting than any we
have had in this State for years. The can
didates are multiplying and the people are
beginning to speak on that special plank In
the platform which eastern Republicans so
much dread. Colonel A. S. Colyar announced
himself here some days ago as candidate,
and is to speak to the people of Davidson
county In that guise on the eleventh instant.
Colonel Burch, of the Nashville american,
has announced himself and given his views
on the financial question. Colonel John 81.
Savage has been upon record as a candidate
for year past, and it only remains for Hon.
John A. Gardner, General w. B. Bate, Gen.
eral w. Y. C. Humes, Hon. George W. Jones
1.-THE old watchdog of the treasury, Colonel
Mike Burns or Judge Marks to give us
their views, to enable the people to
decide upon a selection, unless there
is some one else who has been only casually
mentioned who is held in reserve as
more promising nominee. Savage repre-
sents the extreme wing of the party on the
State debt question. Colyar takes medium
ground of delay In payment, awaiting better
times, and Burch the higher ground of max
ing provision for its payment without taxing
the people beyond their ability to pay. What
the other candidates are in favor of can only
be conjectured. The people, so far as they
have spoken, lean to Colonel Savage's plans
and purposes. For instance, the Warren
county Democracy In convention recently de-
clared "That we reterate and still adhere to
:" the ancient principles of the party as adj
ministered by Jefferson, Jackson and
Polk; that we oppose extravaganza and cor
sc ruption, and advocate economy and strict
4" integrity in administering the affairs of the
" State and nation; that we are not of those
"w who believe a national debt or a State debt
" to be a State or national blessing, and be-
lieve that on the great question Of the pay
ment of the State debt the people ought to
4" be heard by and through the ballot; there
" fore we are opposed to any measure looking
" to the settlement of this question which ig-
" nores the right of the people. and for the
" sake of peace and harmony, and to make a
" fnality of this vexed question, we are will
=" ing to discharge the debt at rate not ex-
" ceeding thirty three and one-third cents on
" the dollar, to be paid in the shortest time
" possible without expressing the people; and
d" we are willing that the same shall be paid in
" State warrants at the rate of two million
" dollars annually, receivable for all dues to
" the State, and non-interest bearing" At
ter which they instructed their delegates to
vote for Savage for governor. The Demo-
Gratis of Robertson-a county ever to be re-
membered for its good whisky-in their reso-
lutions, expressed themselves as opposed to
-" any settlement of the so-called State debt
until it has first been submitted to, and
g ratified by the free voices of the sovereign
people at the ballot box;" that they ''are
" not able to bear increased taxation, there
" fore, we are opposed to higher rate of
Z" State taxation for the ensuing two years
" than the present rate, which is ten cents on
&c the hundred dollars worth of taxable prop
" erty. We are unalterably opposed to the
" settlement of the bonded debt of Tennes-
Is see upon any terms which will involve re-
I" ceiving the interest coupons in payment of
&c the taxes due to the State" These are
extreme views, admirably calculated to give
to be taken as the opening notes of the can
vass, indicating the probable attitude of the
party on question which at one time threat
ened its safety, leaves no room to doubt that
the people are certain of the utmost latitude
of relief from taxation, and that the debt
question is to remain to yex, perhaps ulti-
mately to split the party in twain.