Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-19
VIEWS OF A LEADING CITI-
ZEN.
An Interview with Hon. jesse f
Brown.

After interviewing in casual way
a number of prominent Democrats in
regard to the proceedings at the
Greenlaw 0perahouse last Saturday,
and finding that the great majority
heartily approved the resolutions, a
LEDGER commissioner met Hon. Jesse
F. Brown, and had a long talk with
substantially the following result.
Ledger-What do you think the
chances are for uniting the Democracy
OF Tennessee at the convention which
meets at Nashville tomorrow?
Mr.. Brown think there is but
little, if any, doubt about satisfacto-
ry reorganization OF the party being
accomplished. | see there is but one
voice from Carter to Shelby, in regard
to the 60-3-4 90 funding scheme of
the last extra session of the Legisla
ture, while the temper of the party,
with but few exceptions, throughout
the State is conciliatory in regard to
questions which have hitherto divided
and defeated it. l regard these facts
as indicating the adoption of we'll
defined line Of policy, which will
command the respect and support of
all men who desire the ascendency OF
Democratic principles over the pres
ent system of rule and ruin in the
State, and the protection of the PEG
pie from further domination and
oppression by railroad and bond spec.
ulating monopOlies.
Ledger-What do you think OF the
platform adopted by the Democracy OF
Shelby?
Mr.. Bit is not in all particulars
just what l would have preferred, still
in its general tendency and scope it is
a we'll defined movement in the right
direction, which, if followed up vigor.
ously, will restore and enforce tie
uDadulterated principles of Democ
racy such as taught by Jefferson,
Madison. Jackson, Polk and many
others in the Legislature and admin.
tratiOn OF public interests in this
country.
Ledger-What changes would you
desire to have made in the platform?
Mr.. B.-As these resolutions were
adopted with such unanimity and are
10 full harmony with the position
taken by large majority of the party,
as expressed in county meetings re
Gently held throughout the State, /
don't think | would make any ma
terial change at present
But as an original proposition upon
the subject Of adjusting the public
debt, l would have engrafted the po-
sitien which took in an article pub
lished in the McMinnville New Era
of April %, 1880.
That while all bonds known as State
debt proper ought to be adjusted and
paid upon the best terms that could
be obtained, all efforts to fasten any
part OF the railroad debt upon the
people and their children should be
resisted at least until railroad compa
MES in this State shall have fully
complied with the spirit and letter of
the law under which bonds were
loaned in aid of internal improve
ments. If | was in the State conven
ton to-morroW | would use all honor
able means to incorporate this position
in the platform and haye nothing to
do with this portion Of the assumed
liability Of the State until the suit now
pending in the Supreme Court between
the holders Of about sl5000,000 Of
these bonds and the railroads is
decided, it will then be the proper
time, in my Judgment, for the people
to take up this question and deal with
il as justice may demand.
| don't believe the bonafde holders
Of these bonds will ever fund them
under any law the Legislature can
adopt, for it is more than probable
that the Court will hold the railroads
responsible for payment, and / see no
necessity foe disturbing the party or
people with this part Of the bond
question at present, 1t, in my judg-
ment. can effect no good purpose,
while it can be the means Of doing
great injury to the peace and harmony
Of our party.