The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-03-20
CLAPP's CLAMP
On the Reputation Ring, who have
Thrown Dirt at Every Honorea
Name in Tennessee S History
And DETAINED all Public Men since 'Ss.

The synopsis of Clapp's report
in our last issue got in through ac-
cident in place of the following,
which we regarded as much the
best.
Nashville American: "'rhe re
port made by Judge Clapp which
we lay before our readers this morn
ing, is an admirably condensed,
clear-cut and thorough discussion
of the whole subject OF the State
debt upon the points submitted by
the majority. BY way of reply, it
both negatives every position OF
law and tact, and sets up aihrma-
lively the principles which govern
the creation OF ali public debts, aud
of this debt. An able lawyer, Judge
Clapp, discussed it not only as a
lawyer, but as a statesman, using
legal illustration briefly and polns-
eddy. 1t is so clear and simple in
style, and reads 30 like the paper s
of the good old times when men
went to fundamental principles and
took brave grounds and looked far
ahead, that we Congratulate the
State that a man is found who nei-
ther fears to tell the truth nor
shrinks from laying down the well
settled principles which govern civ.
ilized communities. The report of
Judge Clapp is as candid as il Is
able and conclusive. 1t declares
the law as it is, frankly admitting all
that could be taken against his
own position, aud then demonstra
ting his position. We hope that
every citizen OF Tennessee who val
ues his State and its reputation and
It's prosperity, will take first the ma
jority report and read it carefully,
and then read Judge Clapp's manly
and fearless exposure. As TO his
position, they may be given in briel
as: First-A reply 10 the charge
that as to $ll,27I,000 the State is,
if liable at all, only secondarily Ina
BILE. He shows that these bonds
were like all others in legal contem
plation primarily and only the
bonds of the State. Second-As TO
the charge that the bonds for war
interest funded are void, he replies
interest cannot be paid by citi
zens of belligerent powers, be
cause all payments between bel
ligerents are void, but that there
is no rule of law which ex
49,, ,,te Tho boiI;Daront from ,,avvnaut
of interest. Third-As to the
charge of voidness of postwar
bonds because OF corrupt legisla
ton and illegahty of the govern
ment, he shows that the vested
rights acquired would not be invali
dated were the charge proved, but
he insists that the proof fails u
show more than presumptive brib
cry and undue means or to trace them
TO any member OF the Legislature.
He rightly and decently deprecates
the reference to the dead governor,
Brownlow, and to other speculative
transactions which had nothing TO
do with the question at issue. He
shows up the absurdity of the plea
that the Brownlow government was
not a State government by showing
that it has been recognized as such
by all departments of the State gov
eminent and that it would have been
ruinous to our own property and
social rights not To have recognized
it. As to the fourth and dfth
heads, that the provisions under
which the bonds were issued were
not complied with, and that the ref
erence in the bonds to the acts
under which they were issued was
notice to the purchasers of bonds,
he discusses them deliberately and
with abundant cita
lions, showing the utter untenable-
ness of the majority position. He
also shows from the history of the
railway sales law, that it was abso-
lutely necessary as wise measure !
Of economy, and that there is no
proof on which to base the charges
made. Judge Clapp also advances
a new and conclusive view-that the |
State has already concluded itself by |
the mortgage. He right
~ observes that it is an absurdity
TO suppose a mortgage foreclosed
Tor void debt The vague, and
shadowy nature of the majority con.
clusions is shown in their, in no
place as to any particular bond, in
making their technical pleas, point
ing out what specific bonds are void
or voidable. This calm and com
plete answer TO the vagaries and fal
lacies of the majority cannot fail to
convince the public mind on which
side lies truth, wise policy and
sfataamanahi,,