Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1880-09-09
THE INTERNATIONAL
CANVASS.
Judge Wright at Springfield.

speech OF Judge JOhn Y wright,
the regular Democratic candi-I
date for Governor, delivered at
Springfield, Robertson county,
on Wednesday last. We ask
the careful reading of the fol-.
lowing extracts from his speech:
NATIONAL POLITICS.
He said the idea of the Democracy was
that ours was a perpetual union of indies
tructible States. That secession had been
settled by the results of the war, and now
no man that he knew of had any sHch an
idea. They now. as formerly, held to the
doctrine of strict construction of the Con-
stituiion; that all powers not delegated
we're reserved, and thai il was wisest and
safest not 10 exercise dOubtfal powers.
Our government could be made perpetual
and the blessings Of liberty transmitted TO
remo,est posterity by clinging to the Con-
sIitution as the anchor of safety. The
Democratic party guided by these princi-
pies, had in the past carried the country
safely through foreign wars and through
times of peace. II had always admins
tered the government with economy, its
greatest expenditure prior TO the war not
exceeding sixty millions per annum. Poo
ple talk about high taxes and low taxes.
He said the Democratic party both in State
and National administration had always
advocated the lightest burden consistent
with the life of the State and the discharge
of honest Obligations. lie said he had
made his record on that subject whilst he
was a Representative in Congress from
Tennessee and he challenged the closest
scrutiny
The Democratic party had controlled the
country for many years prior to the war,
and that it sur ived even the fierce and
cruel test of great civil war and came out
with its organization. Its leaders had call
ed its hosts together and State after State
fell into line until it got control OF the House,
and then the Senate, aid in 1876 it had
elected the President, and it will do so
again this year, and Gen. Hancock would
take his seat. No more 8 TO control was
TO be tolerated, but the voice OF the people
was to be heard and obeyed.
Since the Democracy had got control Of
the two houses Of Congress expenditures
had been reduced greatly, and the work
was 10 go on until the Democratic idea OF
true economy was reached. He said the
Democratic candidate for President has
record as soldier and statesman OF
which the whole country might feel proud
No stain of suspicion even attached to his
name Our platform was absolutely be-
| yond criticism, beng plain simple and to
the point. Our State platform was in &C
cord with the National; was in keeping
with the whole history and tradition Of the
Democratic party, asd every honest man in
the land could stand upon it and look his
countrymen in the Eye.
THE BOILERS.
A few men at Nashville had bolted the
convention, after every effort for concilia-
ton on the part of the great majority Of
the party had failed. They were deter
mined TO bolt They went there to boil
if they could not rule. 1t was a rule OF
ruin policy which actuated them.
THE ORIGIN OF THE BONDS.
He showed that the constitution of 1884
solemnIy enjoined on the Legislature of the
State the duty of encouraging internal i'm.
movements in the State. 1t was made q
part of the constitution, so important was
| il considered by our fathers. 1t was rec
commended by every Governor, Wings and
Democrats, including Cannon, Polk, Jones
A. V. Brown, Neil S. Brown, William
| Trousdale. William b. Campbell. Many
of the bonds were signed by Andrew John
son and seven millions by Isham G. Harris
The laws under which these bonds were
issued were voted for by the best and pur-
est men which Tennessee had in her Dor
ders-by such men as VIM. B. Bate, Judge
Guild and others. and who dare accuse
them Of fraud or dishonesty? Subsequent
to the war the accumulated interest wa:
taken UP by the issuance of other bonds, 6
simple change in the form of the obligation
About six millions of these bonds were
| originally issued, but four millions of these
have been paid and only about two millions
remain. About thirteen millions of othel
bonds were issued, with which to raisS
money to refit and rebuild sirOads which
had been torn up and destroyed during tn;
war. These were issaed at the request
and solicitations of leading men OF tht
State, and mostly Democrats, and The
roads were rebuilt and put in running or.
der. There may have been improper use:
made of some of the money raised by these
bonds, but the purposes OF their issuance
TO rebuild railroads, was effected. OF these
bonds. all have been paid off except abOua
! 80, 246,000. Warren county, the home o.
Col. Savage, got 100000 OF these Brown
low bonds with which TO refit the railroad
Lincoln and Franklin got large number
and so with other counties. The grea
Northwestern road also got some. It.ha:
been chaig ed that fraud was committed il
the purchase of bonds by the railroads with
VIII ch to discharge their liabilities to the
States. But the fact is, that all the bond:
of the State were sold and purchased a
the same figures, as shown by the sworr
statement of witnesses, among whom II
Gov -Jas. d. Porter.
WHY THIS WAR ON RAILROADS!
Have they been of no benefit TO you
country? Would any sane man be willing
to see them all removed from the State
Answer these questions. II there was no
a single line or 70 Of railroad in the State
would il not justify US in creating debt a:
large as the presentto get the system we
now have? The city of Cincinnati spen
twenty millions 10 get enc road, coming
into the State Of Tennessee, that the South
ern, and we have perfect system through
the whole State, the conyeniences and val
ue Of which no man can estimate. The fac
is, fellow -ci liens, all the attacks by clique:
and factions or classes Of people are bu
the out groupings of the spirits of commun-
ism, which is. raising it's head in all parts
Of the land.
liz THE DEBT IS ADJUSTED THE
POOR MEN WILL NOT HAVE II
OPAY-RENTS AND RENTERS,
1t has been urged also that if the deb
is adjusted the owners of land viii raise
their rents on the tenants, and | have
heard of some merciless landlords who
have threatened to do so. Now the price
of rent is not governed by the rate Of tax
atfon. Rents of lands are governed by
supply and demand. Where there is much
| land and few renters land win rent low.
Where lands a scarce and renters nu-
merous land will rent high. But suppose
the heartlessness of landlords should I'M
dertake 10 raise their rents equal to the
increased taxes. The amount necessary
TO pay the interest will be only 30 cents On
the 500. 1t will take 10 acres of land at
$40 per acre to make 800 and the tax on
that will be only 80 cents or cents per
acre. Where is the honest poor man who
will allow himself to be driven from his
convictions Of honesty and sound policy by