Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-04-12
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
The 1908 Bill Endorsed by Some,
Denounced by Others.

A majority Of the papers heretofore
classed as favoripg high tax" or state
credit iudorse and approve the pas
sage Of the 1908 bill; some Of them,
and all of the low tax papers in the
state, condemn the bill and the man
ner Of its passage in unmeasured
terms. We make a few extracts rep
resenting different shades of opinion.
The people generally seem to feel
that they have been sold out beyond
recourse, and accept the result with a
sulleness that may mean something
for the future. 1t is doubtful whether
they will cheerfully bear the heavy
load fastened on them for ninety-u inc
years:
HOW TENNESSEE STANDS.
Nashville American (high credit:
1t cannot be that Tennessee sold her
honor and her dignity and compro-
mised her sovereign standing. On the
contrary, she stands infinitely higher
in the world to-day than she did yes
terday. She feels consciously prouder,
she has better standing; then wherein
consists that loss Of dignity and
honor? IF she has not suffered in
character and still regards herself as
a great and honorable state, and still
maintains her reputation, and is really
very far better off in both respects, we
fail to see exactly where the loss
comes in.
AT LAST.
Ripley News (h;gh credit: After a
long conflict the state debt is settled.
How the settlement will be received
we cannot say, but we fear it will not
give very general satisfaction. We
hope, however, that it will not enter
again into oar political contests.
A R~EADJUsTER.
Memphis Republican (high credit:
Now that the true inwardness of the
plot is exposed, we are willing to re-
pudiate, r~e.adjusr, or re anything
you please, so as the iniquity of the
measure just passed may be done away
with.
COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS.
Knoxville Tribune (hiph taxi.
The present legislature has done
Tome things which may he criticized
With severity and justice, but it has
also accomplished a great deal for the
prosperity and honor Of the state,
The settlement of the debt question
alone should be sufficient to hide A
multitude Of sins. For yeafs it has
threatened the honor, and has been a
blight upon the prosperity of the state.
and Its final honorable disposition will
cause incalculable benefit.
REoeNNoITERINa.
Nashville Daily Herald (high taxi:
When and how shall The peonle
strike to avenge the great wrong that.
has been done them in the nassaoe NJ
the 1908 bill? In whatever thew do
they must not lose sight Of the states
credit and honor and indi honor,
Let the people maintain their i%nteeri.
ty and all is well. Nothing should be
determined on hastily or without dne
consideration. They should not fol.
low off after some visionary, impraeti-
cable scheme.
We have seen hardly a paper that is
satisfied with the terms Of the 100 3
bill. Many persons who favored itg
passage say they did not like it. and
that 1t was not such as was expected
or as they would have supported
Almost every democrat who voted for
1t did so saving that be did NOT lilo
the bill. What forced any man 10
vote for or support it, if it did not
meet his Judgment Who did the
thinking for members of the l%egisla.
ture? Why should the bill have been
passed lfit did not meet the wishes If
the majority By what sort Of logic
ee@2?,glI5d a minority force the passage Of a