Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1880-09-25

Oct. 10, 1888, ne says:
"The management of a well regu
lated system of internal improve
ments as the great means of devel
oping the resources of the state anC
promoting the happiness and pros
perity of our citizens is SOlemnly
enioined on your attention by tn,
constitution, the accomplishment o
which would bring about prouC
era in our state.o
2. Governor afterwards president
James K. Polk, in his message o
Oct. %, 1889, said:
"The faith of the state is pledged
for the punctual payment Of the
: semi-annual interest on the state
bonds issued and authorized to be
issued, as we'll as for their ultimate
redemption, and there is no state in
the Union whose public securities
should command a higher price
than ours" He adds: mo subject
is, in my judgment, of more i'm
portance to the state than vigor-
GUS prosecution of a judicious system
of improvement, none can so much
tend to develop our resources and
add to our wealth of prosperity"
2. Gov. James G. Jones, in his
message of Oct. 10, 1841, says:
GA we'll regulated system OF in
ternal Improvements would tend
greatly to develop the resources of
the state; increase the energies and
enterprise of her citizens by opening
new avenues to trade and commerce,
diffusing spirit of industry among
! ~ hn F,xy ,af
fording an easy transportation of
their surplus products to market;
and that 1t would add greatly to the
sources of public prosperity does not
admit of a well-grounded doubt. -
ISee Senate Journal 1841, p. l19.
Instead of recommending that the
state repudiate her bonds issued in
aid of her internal Improvements
he says:
GA prompt and faithful compli-
ance with all of our engagements is
essential to the maintenance of the
high character we enjoy as state
which has been thus far secured to
us by a faithful observance of every
obligation" Will Tennessee, sever
commit the suicidal act of bringing
on her fair name the foul and OdiOus
stain of reputation / trust the
time will never come when this
doctrine shall obtain in this state.
Sure | am that none of her sons, in
whose boSoms dwell one spark of
patriotic fire, will so far forget what
is due to their character, their fame,
their honor, to the memory of their
fathers, the claims of prosperity, the
demands of justice, the acquisitions
of morality-wills SO far forget every
thing that is valuable in our charac-
ter as state, as to become the ad-
Vocates of this odious doctrine, de-
moralizing in its tendencies, dam
gerous in its consequences, blight
ing mildew to credit, character and
honor"
A. Gov. Aaron ". Brown, in his
message of October, 1847, speaking
of the internal improvements of the
state, says:
eff these grand projects cannot be
carried on successfully by individu-
al capital and enterprise, it will
devolve upon you to determine
whether any, and how much assist
ance can be furnished by the state. |
The objects are of sufficient import
ance as to encourage in their behalf |
as full a share of encouragement as
her present liabilities and means
would render prudent, and to this
extent | earnestly recommend the
subject to your attention"
5. Gov. Neill S. Brown, in his
message of October, 1919, says:
The subject of internal improve
ments is one which Is exciting moro |
interest at present than any, per-
haps, which will enter into your
deliberations, and it is gratifying to
witness the spirit which now per-
Vades the different sections Of the
state with regard to it.
Although the state debt is now
considerable; yet 1t is not such, in
my opinion, considering the amount
of our means, as to deter us from
still further appropriations of the
public credit in aid of specific OBJ
jects, etc.
6. Gov. VIM. Trousdale, in his
message of 1S49, says:
"I know of no subject which is
entitled to more Of your deliheFa-
tions than that of a system of inter
nal improvements. If you should
be satisfied that our credit would
not suffer by an increase of our debt,
l cannot too strongly impress upon
your minds the Importance of pro-
vidiDg with certainty for the pay
ment OF the accruing interest at the
same time you provide for contract.
ing the additional debt"
7. Gov. VIM. B. Campbell, in his
message of October, 1851, says:
"NO state has more to promise
itself from a well regulated system
of internal improvements than Ten
neasee, Rivers and railroads beyond
our borders tYrn the current Of tray
el around and from Us, directing 70
other fields masses of capital and
skilled labor in search of emplOy-
ment. 1t does seem to be high
duty of the state to loan her credit,
at least toward ironing and equip
ping the roads after they have been
for the iron, upon ample
by the individual stock
holders against loss, and to any
needed extent which will not seri-
0usly embarrass the state treasury
or cripple the oredit,n
So far from the turnpike and rail-
roads seducing the state into the
system, il will be seen that the state
herself first proposed it in her con-
convention of 1894, and /
that every governor from that time
down to 1872, whether whig or
advocated it in thestrgon-
est terms,
INSTITUTIONAL ENDORSEMENT OF
THE ABOVE.
The constitution OF 1884, article
XII, section 8, ordained that: n
IA well regulated system of in
ternal Improvements Is calculated
to develop the resources of the state
and promote the happiness and
of her citizens; therefore
it ought to be encouraged by the
Uanar9I aSSpmhlVO