Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1879-01-25
DOENGS IN TRE GENERAL AS
SEMKBLY.

We find that we shall be unable
to give as complete reports Of the
proceedings in the Legislature as we
attempted last week without omit
ting important matter to which our
readers are entitled. We give,
however, below the bill of Mr.. Saw
age relating to the public debt, that
our readers may appreciate the
danger with which the credit of the
State is threatened, and will add, as
the reports come in every evening,
all matters of predominant import
ance. Mr.. Savage introduced the
following:
An Act to submit all disputes concerning
the State Debt 10 the Civilization" and
award" of the People Mt the Ballot-boX.
Whereas, 1t is necessary to purity in legis-
latiOn, and prosperity among the people,
that the State bonds should be PAID coHipro-
Hsjscd or abolished; and,
Whereas, The whole State debt Is inn
peached in public opinion upon cOnstitu-
iioual, legal and equitable grounds, inso-
much that 1t ought not to be paid unless
approved by q popular vote and,
Whereas, The people are sovereign and
can do no wrong, and are the highest and
most honest OF all tribunals for the final
decision OF all appeals; and,
Whereas, Among other questions, it is in
sisted on behalf OF the people rs follows:
!. The Constitution of Tennessee grants no
power To Ude General Assembly to issue
bonds and they are positive violation of
the Constitution of the United States, which
says "no State shall emit bills of credit"
,. The b ndS began in fraud and class leg
iSlarion, and were procured by false prom
ises made 10 the people
honorable obligation upon any man,
woman or child in the State for payment.
4. That ninety-nine out of every hundred
of the present bondholdeTs bought their
bonds in violation of the statutes creating
them, and cannot recover in court OF law
or equity, but are subject to Indictment, fine
and imprisonment
D. That at the time the bonds were issued,
the slaves paid more than one-third OF the
taxes, and inasmuch rs slavery has been
abolished for the general welfare, the bonds
should be buried with it in q common grave
without a resurrection morn for either.
&. That no public debt can rightfully sur
viVe the generation that created it--and
hence the system of American bondage,
State and national, is dark cloud upon the
good name OF the nation, and crime
against humanity, greater than African
slavery, with all It's Imputed sins, and which
crime Is now making paupers, vagabOnds
and tramps OF unfortunate men, black and
white, North and South, inSom1ch that il
is the duty Of good men everywhere to de-
stroy il, so that the nation may not look
upon bOndsman or slave.
And whereas, ii appears from the messages
of Gov. J. d. Porter that certain parties pro-
pose to compromise the State bonds held by
them at 90 cents to the dollar, secured by
bonds payable in New York, due in thirty
years, with interest coupons, receivable for
all taxes due the State.
And because it is unknown to the General
Assembly whether or not majority OF the
people favor the payment Of this sum or
less amount, or any sum whatever 10 the
hOndhOlder-and to the end that the people
may rule, and their will be done, as to them
may seem equitable and Just;
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of
the State of Tennessee, that the matter in
dispute concerning the State debt be sub
mitted to the people as "arbiters" at the bal
lot-bOX, according to the forms and modes
provided by the statutes for the holding of
popular elections, and as hereinafter pro-
vided. SO that the people themselves may