Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-05-06
TIE NEW PROPOSITION.

The proposition made by COM
mittee of the creditors of the State
for IA settlement of the debt, brings
us face to face with the question,
what shall be our answer?
The Legislature is now in session
it is charged by the people with the
duty of accepting or rejecting the
offer that has been made. The per-
formance of this duty should not
be evaded. The offer is not made
to a party-neither to Democrats or
Republicans-it is made TO the State
of Tennessee, an organized political
body from which the debt is due
Some people say the question should
be settled by the Democratic party.
Not so; the Democratic party is
not the State. Others say, it should
be settled by convention of parties.
This il equally mistake, for poiit-
ical conventions do not represent
the State. 1t should be settled by
the Legislature which under our
constitution, as in all other proper
ly organized governments, repre-
sents the people.
We do not wish 70 be misunder-
stood. Legislatures under our form
of government should represent the
people. They shoald represent
those from whom all authority
comes. But have not the people
spoken in plain and unmistakable
terms? In 1880 this question was
presented distinctly and clearly.
230, 900 of the voters against only
$1,000 dissenters, said, 'twe want
this vexed question settled. IT has
been an obstacle in the path of our
way to prosperity, it has been the
fruitful cause of discussions, has
brought upon us. the censure OF CIV
ilized communities and now in
view of great national issues involv-
ing the vital principles OF Govern
ment, threatens to make Tennessee
a cipher in determining them.
When the people in most solemn
form, at the ballot box, have spo-
ken who shall gainsay what they
have said? Who shall dare with
stand their deliberate verdict? This
Legislature was chosen to carry in
to effect the will of the people. A
few politicians however stand i'm
the way. They undertake to con-
denim what the people have said
and to denOunce the supposed action
of the peoples representatives.
They claim that the Legislature has
forfeited the respect and confidence
of their constituents
Upon what foundation does this
objection rest? 1t is said three
members in the Senate were con-
trOlled in their votes upon the 1908
bill. A committee appointed by
the Senate, and committee hostile
to the 1908 measure has decided
otherwise. But conceding the fact
to be as charged, does that effect the
real question now before us? The
Legislature is composed of 100 Sen
ators and Representatives. Suppose
that three of that number were at
some time controlled in their action
by mercenary views, does that fact
change in the slightest degree the
attitude of the remaining ninety
seven? Does any one question their
motives or their conduct? Can any
one say truthfully, that they do not
represent their constituents? They
were elected, or a great majority Of
them, upon the distinct issue that
the State debt should be settled up
ON terms to be agreed upon between
the creditors and the State. The
1908 bill was enacted pursuant TO
this declaration of a great majority
of tie voters. The Supreme Court
held that certain provisions Of the
act were not constitutional, so that
bill is relegated to the limbo of the
past.
Now, however, another PROPOSE
ton has been made. Our creditors
say, that in view of the embarrass-
ment under which the State labOrs,
they will accept go per cent. of the
entire debt, with graded interest
of 4, 5 and per cent.
The Legislature is now in session,
a Legislature chosen to settle the
very question of the State debt.
What shall it do?
Now those among us who believe
that we owe the money have but
one course to take, that is to encour-
age, indeed to instruct the Legis-
lature to accept the offer. If we
owe the money, it is our duty to pay
every dollar of it, if able to do so,
and here we speak of legal rs well
as moral obligations.
But, says one, the State does not
owe the debt. That is your belief,
no doubt honest belief. What then
is your duty? The holders of the
bonds join issuei with you. They
say that under the laws that govern
in every civilized community they
bought the bonds, paid for them at
their market value, trusting to the
good faith of the people of the State
expressed in their acts of legislation
and written in the very bonds them
selves. We repeat, he says, sac
cording to the usage of all civilized
communities, l bought these bonds
and paid for them. l expected and
had the right to expect that the
State of Tennessee would keep its
faith and perform its obligations.
l paid my money, not yours, my
money went into your State, it
helped to construct your railroads,
it built your capitol, it was spent
upon your turnpikes, you have
them all, repay the money accord
ing to your contract" The reply
still is, tive got the benefit but do
. I. "A