Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-08-24

AAOH JONA PDcBAO va AN'o S~oJ SNA
sciences. They will not be such
shadows as they now are. How thir
you are, governor.
Governor = Why. you voluntarily
offered to take sixty cents at on,
time
Bondholder (sarcsstically)-Volu
tarilyl That was when the ~rascally
regulators had repealed the funding
law, and stopped payment of interest,
We were alarmed, for fear all was
lost. Under this sense of fear, and
submitting to what we could not help,
we thought half loaf better than no
bread !" and so, under coercion, Of
fered to take sixty cents. But now
all is safe. Thanks to you and your
friends, governor, we are on firm
ground. Reputation, that monstrous
sin of states, lies dead at our feet. 1t
was fear of that monster that made us
come down. Dead, he no longer
frightens us into concessions we would
not freely grant. Think of It'll If a
man, governor, through fear or alarm,
agrees to take half his debt, do
you suppose, when the danger
is gone, that he is bound
by that agreement? Why, my dear
governor, that would be the law of
the highwayman, and not Of courts Of
justice and of conscience.
Governor-(With raised crest and
excitedly) But the people have
equities.
Bondholder-Pardon me. That is
an argument that becomes a repudia-
tors mouth, not yours. Have you
not declared the debt just2 Have
you not declared your ability to pay ?
Have you not triumphed on a plat.
form that lays down the doctrine, that
any settlement not satisfactory to us
would be an indelible stain on your
state. Am l to be reminded by you
of equities? Et tn Brute You are
estopped. Your platform and your
speeches Theoretically seal your mouth
on this question.
Governor-Seems moved. Signs
with his hand over his heart, and
gracefully confesseS that his position
is indefensible, unless, as a matter Of
free grace, the bondholder will abate
part of his demand.
Bondholder--But, governor, there
must be no mistake this time. No
more funding laws to be kicked over.
Short crops and hard times which may
and experience proves, will come
again by and by, and make the naughty
people try to break away again.
Now, that we have got the locks of
this Sampson shorn, we must bind
him, so that when put to grind at the
wheel for us he will not, in his rage,
pull down the house, and bury US in
the ruin. The coupons on the new
bonds must be receivable for taxes,
and every pains must be taken to
make the job stick. VIZ will have our
lawyers aid you on your message, and
shape the law, or 0. K. it when it is
ready.
BOndhOlder continues (Sighing for
relief 1t is such a pleasure to deal
with honest people. OH but if that
ugly, crooked, one-arm Wilson had got
in, hen the boot would have been on
the other foot. Then the cry of equity
and fraud would have been redoubled.
We could not then have dictated the
terms. The people would have been
master Of the situation" and We
would have been compelled to submit
to their terms; to have eaten "crow."
We are SO much obliged to you and
your party, governor. Good, dear
governor. Embraces the governar. J
Bondholder continuing - Cover
nor, by the way, is that horrible
Savage dead Is it true he is part
Indian hear SO, and that he be-
longs to the tribe of Sitting Bull.
Governor-I assure you that such
is not the case. He is a white man.
Indians generally keep their contracts
white men break them, l regret to
say.
BOndholder--0h, governor | that's
a dreadful sentiment. How can you
avow it?
GOvernor-I a stand almost any.
thing in politics now, since the bond
holders have reformed me. Laugh.
ter.
BOndholder-NOw governor, as the
business is arranged to our satisfac-
ton, let US take a nip" What do
you drink ? Beg pardon-are you a
teetoteler 2
Governor-No harm done; it's a
matter Of principle with me to en-
courage home products, and, there
fore, l will take Robinson county,
straight.
-Exeunt, and, the bondholder
sets EN- up.