The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-08-28
The Future Of Our State Question.

Knoxville Tribune: Previous to
the late attempted election we pub
lished from time to time various
letters favoring the the 80 4 propo
sition from Hon. VIM. j. Sykes, of
Columbia. Col. Sykes was enc of
the first and has always been one
of the frmest advocates of State
credit in Tennessee, and, being
thoroughly posted and not ambi
tious of political preferment, what
he says in regard to this question
may be regarded as the sentiment
of an honest and patriotic citizen.
We have received the following let
ter from him siDce the defeat of the
compromise and commend it to the
careful consideration of our readers
whether tax payers or holders Of
bonds.
1.-THE election does not, as many
say, decide that the people of Ten
nessee are in favor of repudiating
the debt of the State. The 504
proposition was opposed by men of
directly opposite views. Some op
posed it because they believed it
was unjust and unfair to our credi-
tors and that they would not or
should not accept such terms; 9th
ers opposed 1t because they alleged
that il was more than we owed or
we're able to pay. Many refused to
vote for it because, as they said,
the bondholders had not accepted
it, and that if carried would not re
suit in a settlement. Many voted
for it who did not approve of it,
but who thought it was the best
that could be done under the cir
cumstances. The canvass of the
State commenced too late and was
confined too much to the cities and
county seats In our county there
was a general canvass and the re-
suit was we carried two to one in
it's favor.
"The only question really decid
ed was that the people do not APP
prove of the propositi on as submit
ted. 1t also shows the utter folly
of submitting such a question to a
popular vote at special election.
Nothing should have been submit
ted, if anything. but a proposition
coming from the creditors of the
State. The people felt but little In
terest aud comparatively few of
them voted. This election decided
the folly of such a submission of an
important question to a popular
vote. When this was done the peo
nts showed by their action that
t, *" a0t desire it. The 5O-4
tney a.: ~oG IS goq know, a
proposltlon was 'aaay State
faVorlte measure with 8 ia |
credit men. TheJ voted for ~
the legislature as the best measure
they could get from that body and
many of those who disapproved of
the passage of the bill voted for its
acceptance rather under protest.
[ have no idea that the people will
ever again get chance to settle on
as favorable terms. The people of
The State may be IN favor of repu-
1iation but this election by no
means shows it. What is best to
be done l can not say. Of one
hing l am satisfied, and that is, if
he bondholders are wise they will
their suits against the rail
DAD companies and give the people
chance to settle this question
lpOn fair, reasonable and satisfacto
y terms in the election of sound
next year, These law
uits, let them be decided as they
nay, will be highly discreditable to
he State and will so affect her fu
ure reputation that she can never
ecover. 1 fear that if the law suits
re pressed to a decision that it
will be very difficult ii not impossi I
lie thereafter to get a fair and rea-
enable settlement which will be /
II
81 have now at your request CIV
n you my views freely, because 1 !
ave nothing to conceal, though it
5 not my purpose to participate
my further in the discussion of
his question. In fact only con-
ented to take part in the late can
ASS in my own county at the ur- :
,ent solicitation of old and valued /
riends. Yours, Very Truly, $
WNT 7 SyErc -