Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1879-10-04
GOvernOs ROBinsOn's Letter OF Ac-
ceDtauce

GOvernOs RObinsOn's Letter of A
) ceptance.
Gov. Robinson has written ii
following letter accepting the Den
ocratic nomination for Governor
New York:
ALBANY, Sept. 20, 1879.
The Hon. John c. Jacobs, Preside,
Of the Democratic Republican Sta
Committee:
DEAR SIR: / have received you
letter of the 18th inst, formally ad
vising me of my nomination by tn
Democratic Republican State Con
vention for reelection to the offic
of Governor. The convention wa
composed of men of high characte
and unusual ability, fully represent
ing every county in the State. From
its proceedings | learn that, witt
entire unanimity, it endorsed tn,
course of the State administration
and by the vote of very large ma
jority, subsequently made unani
NOUS, renOminated me for the higI
Office which | now hold. 1t alsC
named by acclamation for the pos
| of fLieutenant-GovernOra gentleman
known and honOred throughout the
State and nation, and renominated
all the officers who have for two
years been associated with me in
the conduct of State affairs.
1t is well known that / neither
sought nor desired a denomination
and that | did not consent to the use
of my name in connection with il
until circumstances beyond my con-
troll seemed to render it an impera-
tive necessity. Grateful to the con-
VentiOn for this expression of
confidence, l accept it's nomination.
| hold it to be the duty of every
citizen enjoying the benefits of a
free government Of the people to
sacrifice public interests and inclina-
tions when thus called upon to serve
the public. / do not regard the
nomination as in any sense a per-
sonal tribute to myself, but as an
approval of the earnest and labori-
Gus efforts which | have made to
uphold the supremacy of the Consti-
tuition and laws, to arrest vicious
and extravagant legislation, to pun
ish derelict officials, to reform and
purify the administration of the
Government, to protect the rights of
all classes of citizens, to reduce eX-
penSes and taxation to the lowest
practical point, and to relieve the
people from all unnecessary bur-
dens. The work of reform, how
ever vigorously carried on, is una
voidably slow. 1t encounters at
every step the hostility of those
who reap rich rewards from the
abuses which it seeks to correct.
Overpaid, corrupt and lawless Off
ciaIs Stand at all times in it's way.
They band together to buffet or to
buy every public officer who seeks
to do his full and honest duty.
They make costly the effort to exc
cute the law and punish its trans
MISUNDERSTANDING these
the cause has made such
in this State that it is diff
cult to comprehend the condition
in which we were FIVE years ago.
1t is not possible to fully appreci-
ate that which has been accom-
plished except by a comparison of
the situation then with that of to- |
day. To this it is proper that |
should for moment refer. The
long career of decentralization which |
sprang from and followed the war
led to reckless legislation, loose and |
corrupt practices in the administra- I
ton, fraudulent contracts for public
works, and a general disregard of
aW, both in the State and munich
pal governments. Profuse eXpend-
tures, exorbitant taxes and vast
Indebtedness were the natural result
IF such a condition of affairs. In
1874 the people became aroused,
md demanded the reform which
vas commenced in 1915 and has
)een steadily and vigorously pur-
;ued ever since, with most gratify-
ng results. In 1874 the expenditure
IN account of the canals, exclusive
If the canal debt and interest,
cached the enormous amount of
g, ,842, ,892.75 and of the sum 81, ,373,-
"a. .92 was paid from the proceeds
If direct fax. In 1878 the amount
laid for the same purpose was only
1903, ,347 .02, the whole of which was
Jaid from the revenues of the canals
any tax, and with lower
ates of toll and better services than
we're ever known before. In 1876,
he year preceding the new manage
nents of the State prisons, the eK-
esq of their expenditures over
paid by taxation, was
7O4 ,379.85. Now the taxpayers are
from any tax on that
ccount. The prisons are substan-
tally self-supporting, and show
realty improved methods and dis
ipline. In 1874 the State taxes
we're $l5, ,727, ,4S20S. In 1879 there
we're only $7,678, ,l03.64. AT the
lose of the war, in 1865, the State
ebt amounted to SOL ,041 ,537.S6. 1t
oW amounts, after deducting the
linking fund, to only IS, l30, 1868. |
give these results in brief to show
he advantage of pursuing the policy
f paying debts instead of creating
hem, and the benefits arising from
and reform in all
ranches of the public service. Be ;
ide the great reduction effected In
anal and prison expenditures. leg
slative appropriations have been
'etoed during the last three years
o the amount of 1854 ,0l5.30. 1t [
proper to add in this connection
hat of all the appropriations thus
Frested by the Executive during
he last three years, not one has !
yer been passed by the Legislature {
yer the Veto-a statement which is ,
Iso true of all the bills on which
etOes have been interpOsed.
The amount of money thus saved
} not all that has been gained. The (
increased regard for law, the integ-
ity and fidelity in the administra-
ion of public trusts which have
cen necessary to prevent thesquan-
ering of the peoples money, have
a higher tone of morality :
nd virtue among all classes OF pub
ic servants. 1t is not claimed that
he Governor and State officers
Inder whose administration these
esults have been attained are en-
tiled to any special credit therefor.
they have simply performed their
Iuty, in obedience to the require {
nents of the Constitution and laws.
This is what all officers are bound
nd sworn to do. They are no
more entitled to extraordinary
redit for it than any citizen is enti-
led to applause for not being a thief.
But it does concern the people to
NOW that those who have carried
m these reforms and achieved these
esults have been true and faithful
n their truStG. where others have