The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-08-26

manded that the question of payment
; be again submitted to the people The
other wing contended that this was
wrong and useless. There they split.
The regulators have an apparent adj
vantage upon mere statement of the
question, in that il seems they are con-
tending for right of the people, while
the other side denies it. This is only a
surface view of it, however, for closer
scrutiny will show that the people cam
not be denied a right they never had.
he constitution places the arbitration
Or such questions in the legislature.
The people made the constitution and
thus delegated a power and they cannot
be heard to reclaim it. 1t is therefore
unconstitutional. But i'm addition, il is
wrong within itself. If we submit this,
why not submit all questions of law or
executive action? When a man steals
your horse, the court tries and con-
dennis him, he appeals to the people and
they hold an election to say whether he
shall suffer. Elections are not to test or
pass in judgment upon the merits of
questions, but they are to decide which
of two men or theories is most popular.
It is only the expression of preference
and not an act of the reason sitting in
Judgment upon the merits. When a
question arises in state affairs that re-
quires elaboration and judgment, the
matter is referred by the constitution to
its proper tribunal. If it is law to be
made, to the Legislature; if law TO be
executed, to the governor and his Off
GERS; if a law to be construed, to the
courts. If we disturb this arrangement
in one instance, why not in all? An
archy is inevitable. We must preserve |
the fundamental forms of our govern
ment. Whatever would lead to wrong |
when pursued to its legitimate end is |
wrong within itself. Start such Gus
tom as this in Tennessee, and where
could you stop it? We therefore see
that that which at first glance seems to
be move in defense of the rights of the
people is direct stab at them instead.
1t is therefore wrong.
1t is also inexpedient. Start such
custom as this and we would have cleo
tons continually on all manner ofques-
tions, demagogues would have ready
tools for plying their Shiny avOcations,
society would be continually disturbed,
and the state always spending money
.hus-tO say nothing of time lost, riots,
broken, and the thousand
title ills that are born OF elections. 1t
s therefore inexpedient.
1t is also unjust TO the party. The 1
democratic party is to be held response !
lie for whatever action is taken in this /
natter. 1t ought to be, for it is in a
ower. Therefore, if it is to bear the
it should have the sole
FILTRATION of it. If it is submitted to
he people, republicans vote on it and s.
y their votes may (they did last Year, Il
AIRY the question contrary to the wish N
of a majority OF democrats. Thus it "
ecomes republican act for which the IL
amocracy is responsible. Is that just!
Then it is unconstitutional, wrong
thin itself, inexpedient, and unjust to
e party. 1t is subversive of the peo- ~ u
e's lights, deranging to society, leads n,
confusion and anarchy, and is the at
ost expensive of any kind of legisla- al
IN. Was it not wise, therefore, when 10
e party at Nashville left this question
be settled in the way pointed out by
U-the only way this country ever
lew until Savage Ell id wanted office? -,
The only excuse given by the boilers W
that the majority in the convention r.
not represent the majority of the w
ople, as expressed at the ballot box 10
It year. That vote was given by re- 10
blicans, by men who thought it was
t enough, by those who contended
at the bondholders had not agreed to
accept, by those opposed to submit vi
g such questions to the people, and TO
ndreds with other little and various tn
jections and the smallest part of the u
position was polled by the repudia- -,
s. This fact is demonstrated at the sh
ry first utterance of the democratic CO
rty, when delegates come up fresh
I'm the people and say by a majority
four to one that reputation is not
net OF democracy. At least thirty go
negroes who voted for repudi- d Ie
on last year will vote for Hawkins su
is year-fOr the very highest of high SO
xers. Hawkins party is for paying to
e bonds dollar for dollar, interest ~
throw in a chrome, and at,
en- steal the balance. Boilers had
st as we'll vote for Hawkins at once
Dolting vote means one for Hawkins.
Republicans always stick to their +, r.
minees. The result has been TWEEN no