Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-04-07
THE LEGISLATURE.

a certain Class OF newspaper men
in this State, Democrats vieing with
Republicans, have sought to elevate
themselves by abusing and throwing
dirt at the present legislature. They
might as well be engaged in the more
healthy exercise of trying to raise
themselves over the fence by the
straps of their boots. The legislature
was condemned by them in advance
without trial, and withoutknowing or
caring what has been or what would be
done. This display of ignorance and
malice, and this ruthless assault upon
the characters Of men who were doing
the best they could, and who were in
q position that prevented them from
replying, even if they had taken the
time from their duties to read what
was said about them, was as silly as it
was cowardly and sneaking. Such
course simply lowers portion of the
press in public estimation without in,
juring those sought to be traduced
and made deunenviable. The verdict of a
drumhead court-martial is rarely just,
and has never yet been approved by the
people. The legislature will be Judged
by the amount and quality of work
done, and not by the foregone conclu-
sions of hot-hcaded, ill-tempered
men. 1t was legislature fresh from
the people, who were free to choose
their representative men, and while
we may have some fault to find, and
feel that there is room for criticism in
regard to various matters, we believe
that a more honest body has never as
sembled, and that its acts will com
pare fayorably with those of any legis-
lature that ever met in the State. The
people are not to be misled and per-
manently prejudiced by mere denun-
Citations unsupported by fact, reason
or argument. There was an extreme
spirit of retrenchment in the early
part of the session, to which we OBJ
jected, fearing that it would lead to
acts calculated to degrade and cripple
the public service. AS to the State
debt question, no Democrat had great
cause to complain unless he took direct
issue with Gov. Marks, and we note
that none of the Democratic paper:
have done this. He recommended
that the origin and history of the deb
be thoroughly investigated A com
mittee was appointed for that purpose
and while it was so engaged nothing
could properly be done in regard tC
the State debt by the legislature
The committee was at worl
several weeks, and finally reported
progress without getting at tn,
bottom facts in regard to th,
methods employed in the creation anC
refunding of the debt. After th
report came in the debate began in tn,
senate and lasted several days. Th
40 and proposition finally passed ant
was sent to the house, where it wa
discussed two or three days only, ant
amended by inserting 80 and 4. Thi
was cOncurred in by the senate-man,
voting for it in both houses mere
ly to take a step toward bringing
the question directly before tn
ballot-box. The action taken wa
as expeditions as possible, in yiev
of the circumstances and tn
grave issues at stake. Yet there wa
no time lost, as almost every hour wa
utilized by the two houses and tn
committees in regular session. 1t wi
be admitted on all hands that ther
was less speaking than usual. Me
were too earnest to engage in long dis
cussions, and the 6ve-minute rul
was nearly always observed, especial
in the house. But of all others tn
people of Shelby county have the lea'
cause aud the least right to grumbl
at the legislature, and We say tn
without representing any membC
from this county. More legislatio
was accomplished for Memphis tina
was ever heard of before at a sing
session for one locality. Whether tn
legislation was all for the be-
remains to be seen, but the del
Of gratitude we owe to the represen
atives of other portions Of the Sta
for their sympathy and magnanlmit
in passing measures for the suppose
benefit of Memphis should never
forgotten. We have had to ask t
many favors at the hands of the fort!
first general assembly to join in Il
senseless clamor against it withoI
violating all the rules of good tast
common courtesy and decency.
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