The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-07-10
THE GREAT QUESTION.
A Lively Discussion Monday-The
People Aroused.

I man eALO0C W buClL
or constitutionality, that wings We'd
with democrats in advocating inter-
nal Improvements. He showed that
after throwing out all the disputed
bonds, comprized in the Brownlow
! issue, the war interest and the fund
| ed interest, by this compromise the
| State would save above 100000.
His figures were taken from the rec
ord, his arguments lucid and terse,
and his conclusions convincing.
He called upon the old men TO
stand by their fathers who made
these bonds and not bring odium
upon their memory, and the young
men we're implored to see that the
fair name OF the State is not tar
nished by the sons of chivalric
and honest ancestry.
Gov. Brown responded TO vOcIf-
erous calls and said that he could
not refuse to give his opinion upon
such a great issue when called upon
by the people with whom he was
born and raised and who had so
often honored him and held up his
bands. He was one of the commit
tee of citizens sent to New York to
urge upon the bondholders the &C
ceptance of the SOD settlement. He
knew of himself that holders had
accepted presenting between eight
and nine millions, and he asserted
that but for the factious and
grinding opposition of one Shylock,
a man Geddes, who controlled about
one and quarter millions, the ac-
cepJance would have been almost
unanimous. He was informed by
the holders themselves that they
did not wish TO commit themselves
by signing the acceptance, but if
the people ratified the bill they
would fund under it. This is a
powerful answer to the specula-
tons and guesses of the OppOsers of
the 80 4 bill. when they assert that
! the matter would amount TO moth
ing even if ratified at the polls, be-
cause the holders would not az
cept. Gov. Brown is a truthful
man and he asserts that the hold
ers themselves told him that
then sOouEd accept if the people rati-
fled. The man Geddes, a cold |
hearted Englishman, told him that
he had plenty of money to expend
In Tennessee TO defeat the measure
and he was going TO do it, and every |
means would be pushed to defeat it
and compel the State to pay every |
cent. Happily, he represents only
small amount. Can it be possible
that any of Geddes' money has
come to Giles? Can it be that the
good people of Giles will oppose
this measure and thus assist this
miserable Shylock to fleece and op
press the people2 Will the people
league with the bondhOlders TO de
feat the bill2 God forbid that Giles
countians should put themselves
into such a Illuminating attitude.
DR.. f. Edmundson was loudly
called for and spoke an hour, Civ
ing his reasons for opposing the
measure. He contended that not
sufficient number of holders had &C
copied, and he reasoned that they
would not accept, because not to
their interest, and hence the ratiti-
cation by the people would be
nullity. He was opposed to the
State debating terms to the holders,
and argued that this was one
sided compromise, and hence no
compromise at all. That the peo-
pie were asked to vote for a com
promise, while one party to it, the
holders, were protesting against it.
He argued that this measure was IN
effect Reputation, as more than fif-
ty per cent. Of the bonds were valid !
and owing. The Doctors argu
ments would be good if his premis- |
es were correct. This is no dictum
, to the holders. They need not &C
cept unless they wish. II is simply
a proposition which che Legislature
asks the people to make to the
holders. Mr.. Kelley, the chairman
of the bondholders' association, or
committee, came to Nashville and
J offered the legislature a compro-
mise of so 6. The legislature de
clined it. Mr.. Kelley then said
that he would not make airy further
proposition, and asked the legislature
to make ono. The legislature now
refers it to the people and asks
them to make a proposition. How
can there be anything wrong, or
how can it be reputation or frau
dulent to comply with the request
of Kelly It is simply matter of
business such as men Indulge in
every day. Let's have a case IN
business life: John Smith is pres
ident of a coal mine company. The
company has bonds out. The mines
! give out and the holders come and
offer to fund for new bonds at 50-6.
Smith declines, but frames written !
compromise providing for 90 4 !
settlement and calls his stock hold |
ers together and asks them to rati
fy it so that he can propose it TO
their bondhoiders. The stock
holders 10 so, the bondhoiders ac-
cept, the bonds are funded, and the
matter settled. Is there any fraud,
reputation or wrong in that legit-
innate business transaction? An
other case; DR.. Edmundson, an
insurance agent, insures our court
| house. 1t burns and the authori- |
ties were negligent in protecting it,
and hence cannot claim the full
amount. The County Court pro
poses &c tske fifty per cent. of the
face of the policy. Or. K. declines,
but frames a proposition of 10 per
cent. and sends it to his Company
for ratification. 1t is ratified, the
Court accepts. and the matter is
settled. viii you ssy, Doctor, that
you repudiated part of thst debt
and defrauded Giles county and did
q moral wrong?
Capt. Jno. c. Lester followed in
short address, going over the
grounds that we have here indica-
ted. We have not attempted to re-
port either speech, but take only
such parts of all as suits our pur
pose TO bring the matter before our
readers that they may know the
true status Of the case, in as short a
';,~@nner rs possible. Tho debate |