Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-09-29
COL. SAVAGE AT MOSCOW.
The Points He Argued In a Two
Hours speech.
Moscow Scntember % ian


audience (white and colored) upwards
oftwo hours. He took a wide range.
His hearers seemed to follow him,
whether lead by his oratory, or in ap.
proyal of his argument, the ballot box
must tell the tale.
In reference to the bond question he
said: For the first time in life, his
people, without bis asking, sent him
to the legislature of 1877 and within
the first month Of the session, he in
troduced and passed a resolution say
ing to the comptroller and treasurer,
pay no more interest on the so-called
bonds Of the state unless otherwise or
dered."
Since that time the bond holder
had not received a cent, and could not
in thousand years get another cent
unless the people or some other power
otherwise ordered. " That at the
same session taxes were reduced
from forty cents to ten cents, ands
then the people have been paying a ten
centstax, and the bond holder gets moth :
ing. This terrible political battle now
sweeping the state like an angry TEN
pest, bearing on its bosom numberless
ISLANDERS and falsehoods, was not begun
by the people. If let alone they would
be at peace, Railroad men in com
bination with Office holders and office
seekers, such as Alvin Hawkins and
Jno. V. Wright, pretended opponents.
butallies working together for the com
mon purpose Of perpetrating upon the
people Of the state . fraud as gigan ic
as any Of the many frauds perpesrated
at Nashville and Washington.
The funding bell ring, the Hobbs
bargain and sale, DeGOIyer pave
monts. Credit Mobilier are no less
crimes than the crime a combination Of
party leaders, republican and demo-
cratic, are nov attempting against the
people.
1t is the purpose of Hawkins,
Wright and their followers to repeal
savage law, and otherwise order. "
That is, order that the people to as
sumo debt of upwards of twenty
millions of dollars and pay the inter
est every six months for the Dext
thirty years, at q cost by taxation of a
million and half dollars each year
sent out of the state never TO Yeturn.
This will make taxes six times higher
than at present, IL there is a man
who wants to pay taxes six times high
ct than at present let him vote for
Wright or Hawkins and members of
the legislature like them-one is just
as good as the other-both alike on
the state debt and high taxes. The
law that rules this question was made
in 1877. The legislature of 1879 did
not dare repeal it. The people are
content. and unless Wright, Hawkins
and the boudholders can get legisla-
ture to repeal Sayagc's law, and other
wise order and raise your taxes, the
bondsmen can never get cent in a
thousand years, Will you vote for
men to fix this burden on you
Is it not your right to assume it it
the ballot-box If you desire it paid2
Many men say we do not know what
to do. We want to do right IL we
know it. He could tell all such men
what to do-to do nothing, and to do
nothing well, for a whole lifetime.
This is better than to do yourselves
and children wrong for ages to come,
Be sure you are right, then 20 ahead.
When the tempes's howl stay within
your castle. Savage's law will stand
guard oyer you thousand years unless
you elect men to fepeal it, Vote for
no man for your legislature who will
otherwise order" or who supports a
policy that will raise your taxation.
There is salvation at this time in
standing still. Vote the low. tax
ticket, and all will be well.
The speech produced a profound
impression upon the large crowd and
was greeted with evidences of hearty
approval. 1t was the most telling
effort that has been made in this sec
tion during the canvass.